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

Key Takeaways While direct comparisons of gelatin versus collagen in humans for skin, nail, and joint health are scarce, collagen has more substantial evidence in humans for improving specific aspects of these areas. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 28 Nov. 2025

Online sales for video game consoles rose by 740% versus average spending in October of this year. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

Also, there is a big difference between having many light snows of 1–2 inches over and over versus two major storm systems, each dumping 10 inches. —Bill Kelly, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025

The key to success is whether AI can preserve the emotional nuance of discovery – the spark of seeing something new and feeling understood – versus reducing inspiration to a set of predictions. —Cecile Van Steenberge, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025

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