Definition of reverse
1a : opposite or contrary to a previous or normal condition reverse orderb (1) : having the back presented to the observer or opponent (2) : made with one's back to the basketball net a reverse layup
2 : coming from the rear of a military force
3 : acting, operating, or arranged in a manner contrary to the usual
4 : effecting reverse movement reverse gear
5 : so made that the part which normally prints in color appears white against a colored background
reversely
adverbRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of reverse in a Sentence
Can you say the alphabet in reverse order?
The drug is used to lower blood pressure but may have the reverse effect in some patients.
Origin and Etymology of reverse
Middle English revers, from Anglo-French, from Latin reversus, past participle of revertere to turn back — more at revert
First Known Use: 14th century
reverse
Definition of reverse
reversed
;reversing
transitive verb
1a : to turn completely about in position or directionb : to turn upside down : invertc : to cause to take an opposite point of view reversed herself on the issue
2 : negate, undo: such asa : to overthrow, set aside, or make void (a legal decision) by a contrary decisionb : to change to the contrary reverse a policyc : to undo or negate the effect of (something, such as a condition or surgical operation) had his vasectomy reversed
3 : to cause to go in the opposite direction; especially : to cause (something, such as an engine) to perform its action in the opposite direction
intransitive verb
1 : to turn or move in the opposite direction the count's waltzing … consisted … of reversing at top speed — Agatha Christie
2 : to put a mechanism (such as an engine) in reverse
reverser
nounreverse field
orreverse one's field
: to make a sudden reversal in direction or opinion
Examples of reverse in a Sentence
The runners reversed their direction on the track.
There is no way to reverse the aging process.
Can anything reverse the trend toward higher prices?
Reverse the “i” and “e” in “recieve” to spell “receive” correctly.
My mother and I reversed our roles. Now I'm taking care of her.
We're going to reverse our usual order and start with Z.
14th Century
First Known Use of reverse
14th century
Synonym Discussion of reverse
reverse
Definition of reverse
1 : something directly contrary to something else : opposite
2 : an act or instance of reversing; especially : defeat, setback suffered financial reverses
3 : the back part of something; especially : the side of a coin or currency note that is opposite the obverse
4a (1) : a gear that reverses something; also : the whole mechanism brought into play when such a gear is used (2) : movement in reverseb : an offensive play in football in which a back moving in one direction gives the ball to a player moving in the opposite direction
in reverse
: in an opposite manner or direction
Examples of reverse in a Sentence
The building appears on the reverse of the coin.
Please sign your name on the reverse.
I put the car in reverse and backed out of the garage.
14th Century
First Known Use of reverse
14th century
REVERSE Defined for English Language Learners
reverse
playDefinition of reverse for English Language Learners
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: opposite to what is usual or stated
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: opposite to the front
reverse
Definition of reverse for English Language Learners
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: to change (something) to an opposite state or condition
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: to cause (something, such as a process) to stop or return to an earlier state
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: to change the order or position of (two things or a series)
reverse
Definition of reverse for English Language Learners
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the reverse : something that is opposite to something else
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the reverse : the back side of a coin, document, etc.
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: a change that makes something worse
REVERSE Defined for Kids
Definition of reverse for Students
1 : opposite to a previous, normal, or usual condition reverse order
2 : opposite to the front the reverse side
Definition of reverse for Students
reversed
;reversing
1 : to turn completely around or upside down or inside out The jacket reverses.
2 : to change the order or position of Reverse the vowels to correctly spell the word.
3 : to change or cause to change to an opposite or former state, condition, or view The court reversed a decision.
4 : to go or cause to go in the opposite direction
Definition of reverse for Students
1 : something opposite to something else : contrary The river flows west to east, not the reverse.
2 : an act or instance of changing to an opposite or former state, condition, view, or direction a reverse of plans
3 : the back part of something the reverse of a coin
4 : a gear that reverses something Put the car in reverse.
Medical Dictionary
reverse
playMedical Definition of reverse
reversed
;reversing
: to change drastically or completely the course or effect of: asa: to initiate recovery from reverse a diseaseb: to make of no effect or as if not done reverse a surgical procedure
Law Dictionary
reverse
Legal Definition of reverse
reversed
reversing
transitive verb
intransitive verb
reversible
adjectiveLearn More about reverse
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See words that rhyme with reverse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reverse Spanish Central: Translation of reverse Nglish: Translation of reverse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reverse for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reverse
Seen and Heard
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