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

Because of the potential for chaos, The Athletic sent Richard Sutcliffe to Rochdale versus York, knowing full well that fun and games were likely. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

In Game 3 for Orlando versus Detroit, that was Jamal Cain. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026

And who’s the team with championship expectations versus the team just happy to be out of the Play-In Tournament for the first time since its inception. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026

There was, of course, one gleaming exception to the cultural stranglehold that Sinners versus One Battle After Another held last winter. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Apr. 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