versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs How to pronounce versus (audio) -səz How to pronounce versus (audio)
1
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As a result, the company can originate a loan at about one third of the cost of peers and close loans in an average of 21 days versus 45 days for its competitors. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 24 May 2025 The timing of Easter — which fell in April this year versus March in 2024 — contributed to the bump. Jackie Snow, Quartz, 24 May 2025 As of April, the U.S. made up around 42 percent of Nvidia business, versus China and Hong Kong's 15.5 percent, according to financial data compiled by CSI Market. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 The first match is Haiti versus Saudi Arabia, followed by Costa Rica against Suriname. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for versus

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of versus was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Versus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versus. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

versus

preposition
ver·​sus ˈvər-səs How to pronounce versus (audio) -səz How to pronounce versus (audio)
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

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