versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs  -səz 

1

: against

2

: in contrast to or as the alternative of

free trade versus protection

Did you know?

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

For the first time, moderation has edged out taste as the top consideration when people drink, at 35% versus 33%. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026

Hit-to-kill versus explosive interception Not every interceptor destroys its target in the same way. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026

The red card resulted in an automatic one-game suspension for Balogun for Monday night's match versus Belgium. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 6 July 2026

The true task for investors and boards is not to blindly ban dual-class shares or to cheerlead for them, but to develop the judgment to discern the characteristics of the companies that outperform versus those that do not. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 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