Meaning of reverse in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /rəˈvərs/

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    UK accent

  1. Verb

    reverse

    Etymology

    Middle English: from Old French revers, reverse (nouns), reverser (verb), from Latin reversus‘turned back’, past participle of revertere, from re-‘back’ + vertere‘to turn’

    Definitions

    1. change to the contrary

    Examples

    • « The trend was reversed »
    • « the tides turned against him »
    • « public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern »
  2. 2. turn inside out or upside down
  3. 3. rule against

    Examples

    • « The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill »
  4. 4. annul by recalling or rescinding

    Examples

    • « He revoked the ban on smoking »
    • « lift an embargo »
    • « vacate a death sentence »

  5. Classifying Adjective

    reverse

    Definitions

    1. directed or moving toward the rear

    Examples

    • « a rearward glance »
    • « a rearward movement »

    Synonyms

  6. 2. reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect

    Synonyms

  7. Noun

    reverse

    Definitions

    1. a relation of direct opposition

    Examples

    • « we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true »
  8. 2. the gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed
  9. 3. an unfortunate happening that hinders of impedes

    Examples

    • « something that is thwarting or frustrating »
  10. 4. the side of a coin or medal that does not bear the principal design

    Antonyms

  11. 5. (American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction
  12. 6. turning in the opposite direction

  13. Qualitative Adjective

    reverse

    Definitions

    1. of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle

    Examples

    • « in reverse gear »

    Antonyms