REVERSE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

reverse

[ ri-vurs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

opposite or contrary in position, direction, order, or character:
an impression reverse to what was intended; in reverse sequence.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
with the back or rear part toward the observer:
the reverse side of a fabric.
pertaining to or producing movement in a mechanism opposite to that made under ordinary running conditions:
a reverse gear; a reverse turbine.
acting in a manner opposite or contrary to that which is usual, as an appliance or apparatus.
noting or pertaining to an image like that seen in a mirror; backward; reversed.
noting or pertaining to printed matter in which what is normally white, as the page of a book, appears as black, and vice versa.

noun

the opposite or contrary of something.
Synonyms: ,
the back or rear of anything.
Numismatics.
1. the side of a coin, medal, etc., that does not bear the principal design ( obverse ).
2. the side of an ancient coin that was struck by the upper die.
an adverse change of fortune; a misfortune, check, or defeat:
to meet with an unexpected reverse.
Synonyms: , ,
Machinery.
1. the condition of being reversed:
  to throw an engine into reverse.
2. a reversing mechanism.
Football. a play on offense in which one back running laterally hands the ball to another back who is running in the opposite direction and who then makes either an end run or a cutback.
Bridge. reverse bid.
Printing. printed matter in which areas that normally appear as white are printed in black, and vice versa.

verb (used with object)

reversed, reversing.

to turn in an opposite position; transpose:
The printer accidently reversed two chapters of the book.
to turn in the opposite direction; send on the opposite course.
to turn inside out or upside down.
to change the direction of running of (a mechanism).
to cause (a mechanism) to run in a direction opposite to that in which it commonly runs.
to revoke or annul (a decree, judgment, etc.):
to reverse a verdict.
Synonyms: , , , ,
to alter to the opposite in character or tendency; change completely.
to turn in the opposite order:
to reverse the process of evolution.
Printing. to print as a reverse.

verb (used without object)

reversed, reversing.

to shift into reverse gear:
The driver drove forward, then reversed.
(of a mechanism) to be reversed.
to turn or move in the opposite or contrary direction, as in dancing.
Bridge. to make a reverse bid.

reverse

/ ��ɪˈ��ɜː�� /

verb

to turn or set in an opposite direction, order, or position
to change into something different or contrary; alter completely
reverse one's policy
also intr to move or cause to move backwards or in an opposite direction
to reverse a car
to run (machinery, etc) in the opposite direction to normal
to turn inside out
law to revoke or set aside (a judgment, decree, etc); annul
often foll by out to print from plates so made that white lettering or design of (a page, text, display, etc) appears on a black or coloured background
reverse arms
military to turn one's arms upside down, esp as a token of mourning
reverse the charge or reverse the charges
to make a telephone call at the recipient's expense

noun

the opposite or contrary of something
the back or rear side of something
a change to an opposite position, state, or direction
a change for the worse; setback or defeat
1. the mechanism or gears by which machinery, a vehicle, etc, can be made to reverse its direction
2. ( as modifier )
  reverse gear
the side of a coin bearing a secondary design Compare obverse
1. printed matter in which normally black or coloured areas, esp lettering, appear white, and vice versa
2. ( as modifier )
  reverse plates
in reverse
in an opposite or backward direction
the reverse of
emphatically not; not at all
he was the reverse of polite when I called

adjective

opposite or contrary in direction, position, order, nature, etc; turned backwards
back to front; inverted
operating or moving in a manner contrary to that which is usual
denoting or relating to a mirror image

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Derived Forms

��ˈ��, adverb
��ˈ��, noun

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Other �y��vlog Forms

��·��·��·�� [ri-, vur, -sid-lee, -, vurst, -lee], adverb
��·��l�� adverb
��·��İ� noun
�󲹱��-��·�� adjective
�Դǲ�r��·�� adjective noun
�Դǲ�r��·�� adjective
�Դǲ�r��·��i�Բ� adjective
��r��·�� noun verb (used with object) prereversed prereversing
�ܲ�r��·�� adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of reverse¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; (for the noun) Middle English revers, from Old French, from Latin reversus “turned back,” past participle of revertere “to turn back” ( revert ); (for the verb) Middle English reversen, from Old French reverser, from Late Latin ��𱹱�� “to turn around,” literally, “to turn back repeatedly,” from revertere

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of reverse¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin reversus , from revertere to turn back

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Synonym Study

See opposite. Reverse, invert agree in meaning to change into a contrary position, order, or relation. To reverse is to place or move something so that it is facing in the opposite direction from the one faced previously: to reverse from right to left; to reverse a decision. To invert is to turn upside down: to invert a stamp in printing; to invert a bowl over a plate.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

US lawyers have argued that the government is powerless to reverse the deportation because Mr Garcia is now in Salvadoran custody.

From

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. – who voted down the measure on reversing Canada duties – told CNN that the president’s calculation that tariffs would shift manufacturing back in the long run wasn’t a safe bet.

From

“The whale did actually swim out, but then reversed and returned,” Milstein said.

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Trump has shown a proclivity for enacting tariffs — and then suddenly reversing course.

From

Hochman said late last month he will seek the death penalty in some cases, reversing the previous moratorium.

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