Reverse

/ɹɪˈvɝs/ adj, adv, noun, verb

adj, adv, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: The opposite of something.
  • Grammar: reverse is listed as adj, adv, noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: contrary, opposite, reversion, turnaround.
  • Useful contrasts: normal, forward, advance.
  • Usage evidence: You need to reverse your vest, it's back to front.

How to use "reverse"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "reverse" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "reverse" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "reverse" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "reverse" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "reverse" is acting as adj, adv, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "contrary" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "reverse", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The opposite of something.

    "Division is the reverse of multiplication."

  2. 2
    turning in the opposite direction wordnet
  3. 3
    The act of going backwards; a reversal.

    "By a reverse of fortune, Stephen becomes rich."

  4. 4
    (American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction wordnet
  5. 5
    A piece of misfortune; a setback.

    "And the cold truth such sad reverse did seem As to awake in grief from some delightful dream."

Show 10 more definitions
  1. 6
    the gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed wordnet
  2. 7
    The tails side of a coin, or the side of a medal or badge that is opposite the obverse.
  3. 8
    the side of a coin or medal that does not bear the principal design wordnet
  4. 9
    The side of something facing away from a viewer, or from what is considered the front; the other side.
  5. 10
    an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating wordnet
  6. 11
    The gear setting of an automobile that makes it travel backwards. (Denoted with symbol R on a shifter's labeling.)

    "I shifted into reverse and was just about to back up when our silly cat walked behind the car! Honk honk, kitty! Get out of there!"

  7. 12
    a relation of direct opposition wordnet
  8. 13
    A thrust in fencing made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke.

    "but first , master see thee pass thy punto , thy stock , thy reverse , thy guest"

  9. 14
    A turn or fold made in bandaging, by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
  10. 15
    Synonym of transpose.
Verb
  1. 1
    To turn something around so that it faces the opposite direction or runs in the opposite sequence. transitive

    "to reverse the order of books on a shelf"

  2. 2
    change to the contrary wordnet
  3. 3
    To turn something inside out or upside down. transitive

    "A pyramid reversed may stand upon his point if balanced by admirable skill."

  4. 4
    turn inside out or upside down wordnet
  5. 5
    To transpose the positions of two things. transitive
Show 15 more definitions
  1. 6
    reverse the position, order, relation, or condition of wordnet
  2. 7
    To change totally; to alter to the opposite. transitive

    "All trends reverse eventually."

  3. 8
    rule against wordnet
  4. 9
    To return, come back. intransitive, obsolete

    "Bene they all dead, and laide in dolefull herse? / Or doen they onely sleepe, and shall againe reuerse?"

  5. 10
    cancel officially wordnet
  6. 11
    To turn away; to cause to depart. obsolete, transitive

    "And that old dame said many an idle verse, / Out of her daughter's heart fond fancies to reverse."

  7. 12
    To cause to return; to recall. obsolete, transitive

    "And to his fresh remembrance did reverse / The ugly view of his deformd crimes."

  8. 13
    To revoke a law, or to change a decision into its opposite.

    "to reverse a judgment, sentence, or decree"

  9. 14
    To cause a mechanism to operate or move in the opposite direction to normal; to drive a vehicle in the direction the driver has the back. ergative

    "Richardson dropped into the six-foot between the two engines, ran for a few yards, grabbed Mitchell's engine, and swung himself up. Mitchell had got to his feet by this time, but he made no move. Richardson shut off steam, reversed her, and brought her to a stand."

  10. 15
    To change the direction of a reaction such that the products become the reactants and vice-versa.
  11. 16
    To place (a set of points) in the reverse position. transitive
  12. 17
    To move from the normal position to the reverse position. intransitive
  13. 18
    To engage reverse thrust on (an engine). transitive
  14. 19
    To overthrow; to subvert.

    "These can divide, and these reverse, the state."

  15. 20
    Ellipsis of reverse-engineer. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis

    "Reversing is also heavily used in connection with malicious software, on both ends of the fence: […]"

Adjective
  1. 1
    Opposite, contrary; going in the opposite direction. not-comparable

    "We ate the meal in reverse order, starting with dessert and ending with the starter."

  2. 2
    Pertaining to engines, vehicle movement etc. moving in a direction opposite to the usual direction. not-comparable

    "He selected reverse gear."

  3. 3
    To be in the non-default position; to be set for the lesser-used route. not-comparable
  4. 4
    Turned upside down; greatly disturbed. not-comparable
  5. 5
    Reversed. not-comparable

    "a reverse shell"

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    In which cDNA synthetization is obtained from an RNA template. not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect wordnet
  2. 2
    directed or moving toward the rear wordnet
  3. 3
    of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    In a reverse way or direction; in reverse; upside-down. archaic, not-comparable

    "The man was killed to feed his image fat / Within this pictured world that ran reverse, / Where miracles alone were ever plain."

Synonyms

All synonyms
contraryoppositereversionturnaroundabandonabolish

Example

"You need to reverse your vest, it's back to front."

Common questions

What does "reverse" mean?

The opposite of something.

What is a synonym for "reverse"?

Common synonyms include: contrary, opposite, reversion, turnaround, abandon, abolish.

How do you use "reverse" in a sentence?

You need to reverse your vest, it's back to front.

How do you pronounce "reverse"?

Pronounced /ɹɪˈvɝs/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English revers, from Anglo-Norman revers, Middle French revers, and their source, Latin reversus, perfect passive participle of reversō, from re- + versō. Doublet of revers.

Etymology 2

From Middle English reversen, from Anglo-Norman reverser, Middle French reverser, and their source, Latin reversō, from re- + versō.

More for "reverse"

Synonyms

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