invert

1 of 2

verb

in·​vert in-ˈvərt 

inverted; inverting

transitive verb

1

a

: to reverse in position, order, or relationship

b

: to subject to inversion

2

a

: to turn inside out or upside down

b

: to turn inward

3

: to find the mathematical reciprocal of

to divide using fractions, invert the divisor and multiply

4

: to reincorporate (a company) as a new entity in a foreign country : to put (a company) through the process of inversion (see inversion sense 6)

Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress have questioned the patriotism of corporate executives who elect to invert their companies.

—Stephen Ohlemacher

invert

2 of 2

noun

in·​vert ˈin-ˌvərt 

: one characterized by inversion

Synonyms

Verb

• flip
• reverse
• turn over

Choose the Right Synonym for invert

reverse, transpose, invert mean to change to the opposite position.

reverse is the most general term and may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning.

reversed his position on the trade agreement

transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position.

transposed the letters to form an anagram

invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out.

the number 9 looks like an inverted 6

Examples of invert in a Sentence

Verb

The lens inverts the image.

The number 9 looks like an inverted 6.

invert the order of two words in a sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

For younger babies, inverted zippers or double zippers are best for late night diaper changes. —Jessica Booth, Parents, 3 Apr. 2024

The three-row necklace highlighted two enormous diamonds—a 17.04 carat inverted pear-cut, and an 18.88 carat oval. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024

With these heat pumps, New York is inverting the usual pattern for new energy technology, which is usually too expensive for regular people to afford. —Matt Simon, WIRED, 29 Mar. 2024

The expansion will invert that visual vocabulary, with an exterior that echoes the vault. —Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Not content with the status quo, This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub cleverly inverts the principle, turning its text into the colour blobs themselves, and leaving the background a specific, practically Gallic eggshell colour. —Hazlitt, 27 Mar. 2024

The new building essentially inverts the existing Broad museum’s architectural language, which famously and sometimes controversially features a two-layer design scheme referred to as the veil and the vault. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Working with one egg white half at a time, invert into a small bowl of water, then transfer to the dish of za’atar, lightly pressing to coat the flat surface of the egg white half. —Bonnie S. Benwick, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

But lower production costs would invert that formula, making EVs cheaper to buy up-front but more expensive in the long run. —José Rodríguez Jr. / Jalopnik, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin invertere, from in- + vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing invert

• invert sugar

Kids Definition

invert

verb

in·​vert

in-ˈvərt

1

: to reverse the position, order, or relationship of

2

a

: to turn inside out or upside down

b

: to turn inward

3

: to find the mathematical reciprocal of

to divide using fractions, invert the divisor and multiply

Medical Definition

invert

transitive verb

in·​vert in-ˈvərt 

1

a

: to reverse in position, order, or relationship

adjacent sequences of DNA and RNA that are complementary and inverted

b

: to subject to inversion

2

a

: to turn inside out or upside down

b

: to turn inward

when a foot is inverted its forepart tends to approach the midline of the body

—Journal of the American Medical Association

intransitive verb

: to undergo inversion

a normal nipple that inverts later in life can be an ominous sign

—P. G. Donohue