inverse

1 of 2

adjective

in·​verse (ˌ)in-ˈvərs 

ˈin-ˌvərs

1

: opposite in order, nature, or effect

2

: being an inverse function

inverse sine

inverse

2 of 2

noun

1

: something of a contrary nature or quality : opposite, reverse

2

: a proposition or theorem formed by contradicting both the subject and predicate or both the hypothesis and conclusion of a given proposition or theorem

the inverse of "if A then B" is "if not-A then not-B"

compare contrapositive

3

a

: inverse function

also : an operation (such as subtraction) that undoes the effect of another operation

b

: a set element that is related to another element in such a way that the result of applying a given binary operation to them is an identity element of the set

Examples of inverse in a Sentence

Adjective

Addition and subtraction are inverse operations.

Noun

the inverse of your argument

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This new tax would have the inverse effect — instead of raising revenue, many hosts will simply stop hosting, which means less tourism and tax revenue for the city. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025

Protein panic took on an entirely new, inverse meaning this week. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025

Noun

Typically, stocks and the VIX have an inverse relationship, with equities falling when volatility rises, and vice versa. —Sarah Min, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025

Protein panic took on an entirely new, inverse meaning this week. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, turned upside down, from Latin inversus, from past participle of invertere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inverse

• additive inverse
• inverse function
• inverse square law
• inverse variation
• multiplicative inverse

Rhymes for inverse

• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse
• immerse
• obverse
• perverse
• rehearse
• reverse
• transverse

Kids Definition

inverse

1 of 2 adjective

in·​verse (ˈ)in-ˈvərs 

ˈin-vərs

1

: opposite in order, nature, or effect

an inverse relationship between interest rates and houses sold

2

: being a mathematical operation opposite in effect to another

addition and subtraction are inverse operations

inverse

2 of 2 noun

in·​verse

ˈin-ˌvərs,

(ˈ)in-ˈvərs

: something inverse or resulting in or from inversion