versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs  -səz 

1

: against

2

: in contrast to or as the alternative of

free trade versus protection

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Abbreviating Versus

In a number of areas the English language is possessed of an embarrassment of riches, with multiple synonyms or abbreviations for a word. One such case is versus, which is often written in a shortened form. You may choose between vs, vs., and v. Take care, when writing the word out in full, that you distinguish between versus (a preposition meaning “against”) and verses (“lines of metrical writing”).

Examples of versus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After managing only 11 runs and 19 in their first four games of the road trip, the Cubs put up 15 runs and 24 hits in the last two games versus Tampa Bay. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

After leading the initial round of voting with 37%, compared to Fuller's 35%, Harris has framed the runoff as a referendum on independence versus loyalty to Trump. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

Cancer rates are 30% higher in women aged 20-29 (55 versus 42 per 100,000) compared to males and nearly double in those aged 30-39 (161 versus 84 per 100,000), the American Cancer Society states. —Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026

This measure demonstrates an economy’s spending versus its growth, and the risk associated with lending to a nation that isn’t growing fast enough to handle its spending. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, towards, against, from Latin, adverb, so as to face, from past participle of vertere to turn

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for versus

• cursus
• ursus
• excursus
• transversus

Kids Definition

versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs  -səz 

1

: against sense 1a

the champion versus the challenger

2

: in contrast to or as the alternative of

the tastiness of store-bought versus homemade cookies