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

Gonzalez cleared concussion protocol later in the week and played versus Houston. —Matt Schooley, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

Disney didn’t offer insight into how much of The Rookie‘s viewership came from linear versus streaming, but since streaming has altered many consumers’ viewing habits, the time slot change is not likely to have a drastic impact. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026

The chart below, from my colleague, Jim Handy, of Objective Analysis shows a log-log plot of storage performance versus capacity price for various memory and digital storage technologies. —Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Prior to the three-game skid, Hubbard scored 30 or more in back-to-back games, starting with 38 points in the overtime win against Texas and 30 versus Oklahoma in a 72-53 victory. —Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 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