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

According to her findings, although two-parent Black families had improved outcomes versus their peers from single-parent homes, the improvement was generally modest. —Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025

Swift is obviously on better terms with some of her other opening acts, with Sabrina Carpenter coming in for a full-on duet (versus Lana Del Rey’s recent near-ghost vocal) on the title track that closes the album. —Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025

Deliveries are up 8% versus the analogous stretch in 2024, and while some of those gains may be attributed to the adjustments made to the ratings currency, the league has capitalized on a schedule that ensured maximal exposure for the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and … Detroit Lions. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025

But Oxford Economics said just 4% of the tech and telecom firms in the S&P 500 are seeing a loss, versus 12% just before the dotcom bubble popped. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Oct. 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