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

There's clearly still a DeSantis versus Trump dynamic there going on. —ABC News, 24 Sep. 2023

What’s the balance between giving out too much information about what’s happening behind the screen, versus providing optimal transparency? —Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 22 Sep. 2023

Put simplistically, the dynamic was extrovert versus introvert. —Holland Cotter, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023

Since there are ranges that define what normal blood pressure is versus one that's too low or too high, even being a few numbers off could have a negative effect on your health. —Carla Delgado, Verywell Health, 20 Sep. 2023

One of your biggest decisions is fresh versus frozen. —Jackie Freeman, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2023

The rainier route would mean highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, versus mid- to upper 70s in the drier scenario. —Matt Rogers, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023

This time out, Disney’s marketing team made the decision to highlight the movie’s horror elements as part of the campaign, versus only the murder mystery themes, in hopes of expanding the audience. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Sep. 2023

But United’s schedule is much worse — 26 hours versus 15 hours on Delta. —Scott McMurren, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2023

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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

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