Reverse Very Common

Reverse has 18 different meanings across 3 categories:

Noun · Verb · Adjective

Definitions

Noun

a relation of direct opposition

"we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true"

reverse contrary opposite

the gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed

"The mechanic had to replace the broken reverse gear so the truck could back out of the tight alley."

reverse reverse gear

an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating

"The sudden rainstorm was a real reverse to our weekend hiking plans, forcing us to turn back at the trailhead."

reverse reversal setback blow black eye

the side of a coin or medal that does not bear the principal design

"After flipping the ancient silver coin, I examined its reverse to see if any faint markings remained on the duller side."

reverse verso

(American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction

"The quarterback faked the handoff before executing a quick reverse that sent the fullback sprinting down the sideline."

reverse

turning in the opposite direction

"After missing his turn, he had to reverse down the narrow alleyway to get back on the main road."

reversion reverse reversal turnabout turnaround

The opposite of something.

"The instructions were so confusing that I just had to reverse them and try again."

In plain English: A reverse is the opposite direction or side of something.

"The car hit a sudden reverse before coming to a stop."

Verb

change to the contrary

"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"

change by reversal turn reverse

turn inside out or upside down

"After washing, I had to carefully reverse my wool sweater so it wouldn't shrink and lose its shape."

turn back invert reverse

rule against

"The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill"

overrule overturn override overthrow reverse

cancel officially

"He revoked the ban on smoking"

"lift an embargo"

"vacate a death sentence"

revoke annul lift countermand reverse repeal overturn rescind vacate

reverse the position, order, relation, or condition of

"when forming a question, invert the subject and the verb"

invert reverse

To turn something around so that it faces the opposite direction or runs in the opposite sequence.

"After finishing the race, she reversed her car to drive back up the steep hill."

In plain English: To reverse something means to make it go back the way it came or turn it around so it faces the opposite direction.

"Please reverse your car carefully before backing out of the driveway."

Adjective

directed or moving toward the rear

"a rearward glance"

"a rearward movement"

rearward reverse

of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle

"in reverse gear"

reverse

reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect

"After she reversed her decision to quit, the team finally felt secure knowing their project would continue."

inverse reverse

Opposite, contrary; going in the opposite direction.

"The new policy was a complete reverse of the administration's previous stance on environmental regulations."

In plain English: Reverse describes something that is opposite to what is expected or normal.

Usage: Use reverse as an adjective to describe something that acts or moves in the opposite direction of what is normal or expected. It often modifies nouns like gear, order, or logic when indicating a shift from forward progress to backward movement.

Adverb

In a reverse way or direction; in reverse; upside-down.

"The car stalled and rolled backward, coming to rest in complete reverse."

In plain English: To reverse something means to go back the way you came or do the opposite of what was just done.

"She decided to reverse her decision after hearing more details."

Example Sentences

"She decided to reverse her decision after hearing more details." adv

"The car hit a sudden reverse before coming to a stop." noun

"Please reverse your car carefully before backing out of the driveway." verb

Origin

The word "reverse" comes from the Latin reversus, meaning something turned back or returned. It entered English through Middle French and Anglo-Norman as a doublet related to the older form "return."

Rhyming Words

rse arse erse orse morse terse barse carse norse torse birse zorse gorse perse corse farse marse worse sarse parse

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