vis-à-vis

1 of 3

preposition

ˈvēz-ə-ˈvē 

ˈvēs-,

also

-ä-ˈvē 

1

: in relation to

2

: as compared with

3

: face-to-face with

vis-à-vis

2 of 3

noun

plural vis-à-vis ˈvēz-ə-ˈvē(z) 

ˈvēs-,

-ä-

1

: one that is face-to-face with another

2

a

: escort, date

b

: counterpart

3

: tête-à-tête sense 1

vis-à-vis

3 of 3

adverb

: in company : together

Did you know?

Vis-à-vis comes from Latin by way of French, where it means literally "face-to-face." In English it was first used to refer to a little horse-drawn carriage in which two people sat opposite each other. From there it acquired various other meanings, such as "dancing partner." Today it no longer refers to actual physical faces and bodies, but its modern meaning comes from the fact that things that are face-to-face can easily be compared or contrasted. So, for example, a greyhound is very tall vis-à-vis a Scottie, and one currency may be stronger vis-à-vis another.

Examples of vis-à-vis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

For the week, crude oil prices are up nearly 10% and that is something with the potential to upset the progress made vis-a-vis inflation. —Jj Kinahan, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

Generally speaking, economists may have some serious competitive disadvantages vis-a-vis lawyers in the political world. —Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 24 Sep. 2024

Peace progresses its layout beyond the vis-a-vis sidewall sofa/kitchen floor plan that's become a staple of early ID. —New Atlas, 8 Aug. 2024

The state’s recovery has been sluggish vis-a-vis those of other states. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

French, literally, face-to-face

First Known Use

Preposition

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

circa 1757, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1760, in the meaning defined above