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¹reverse

adjective re·verse \ri-ˈvərs\

: opposite to what is usual or stated

: opposite to the front

Full Definition of REVERSE

a : opposite or contrary to a previous or normal condition <reverse order>

b (1) : having the back presented to the observer or opponent (2) : made with one's back to the basketball net <a reverse layup>

: coming from the rear of a military force

: acting, operating, or arranged in a manner contrary to the usual

: effecting reverse movement <reverse gear>

: so made that the part which normally prints in color appears white against a colored background

— re·verse·ly adverb

See reverse defined for English-language learners

See reverse defined for kids

Origin of REVERSE

Middle English revers, from Anglo-French, from Latin reversus, past participle of revertere to turn back — more at revert

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with REVERSE

adverse, amerce, asperse, averse, coerce, commerce, converse, cutpurse, disburse, disperse, diverse, dry nurse, free verse, immerse, inverse, Nez Percé, obverse, perverse, rehearse, scrub nurse, sesterce, submerse, transverse, traverse, wet nurse

²reverse

verb

: to change (something) to an opposite state or condition

: to cause (something, such as a process) to stop or return to an earlier state

: to change the order or position of (two things or a series)

re·versedre·vers·ing

Full Definition of REVERSE

transitive verb

a : to turn completely about in position or direction

b : to turn upside down : invert

c : to cause to take an opposite point of view <reversed herself on the issue>

: negate, undo: as

a : to overthrow, set aside, or make void (a legal decision) by a contrary decision

b : to change to the contrary <reverse a policy>

c : to undo or negate the effect of (as a condition or surgical operation) <had his vasectomy reversed>

: to cause to go in the opposite direction; especially : to cause (as an engine) to perform its action in the opposite direction

intransitive verb

: to turn or move in the opposite direction <the count's waltzing … consisted … of reversing at top speed — Agatha Christie>

: to put a mechanism (as an engine) in reverse

— re·vers·er noun

— reverse field or reverse one's field

: to make a sudden reversal in direction or opinion

See reverse defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of REVERSE

14th century

Related to REVERSE

Synonyms: switch

Synonym Discussion of REVERSE

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 <a stamp with an inverted picture of an airplane>.

³reverse

noun

the reverse : something that is opposite to something else

the reverse : the back side of a coin, document, etc.

: a change that makes something worse

Full Definition of REVERSE

: something directly contrary to something else : opposite

: an act or instance of reversing; especially : defeat, setback <suffered financial reverses>

: the back part of something; especially : the side of a coin or currency note that is opposite the obverse

a (1) : a gear that reverses something; also : the whole mechanism brought into play when such a gear is used (2) : movement in reverse

b : an offensive play in football in which a back moving in one direction gives the ball to a player moving in the opposite direction

— in reverse

: in an opposite manner or direction

See reverse defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of REVERSE

14th century

Related to REVERSE

Synonyms: knock, lapse, reversal, setback

Antonyms: face, forehead, forepart, front

Other Monetary Terms

clad, legend, numismatic, obverse, scrip, series, specie

REVERSING Defined for Kids

¹reverse

adjective re·verse \ri-ˈvərs\

Definition of REVERSE for Kids

: opposite to a previous, normal, or usual condition <reverse order>

: opposite to the front <the reverse side>

²reverse

verb

re·versedre·vers·ing

Definition of REVERSE for Kids

: to turn completely around or upside down or inside out <The jacket reverses.>

: to change the order or position of <Reverse the vowels to correctly spell the word.>

: to change or cause to change to an opposite or former state, condition, or view <The court reversed a decision.>

: to go or cause to go in the opposite direction

³reverse

noun

Definition of REVERSE for Kids

: something opposite to something else : contrary <The river flows west to east, not the reverse.>

: an act or instance of changing to an opposite or former state, condition, view, or direction <a reverse of plans>

: the back part of something <the reverse of a coin>

: a gear that reverses something <Put the car in reverse.>

Medical Dictionary

reverse

transitive verb re·verse \ri-ˈvərs\

re·versedre·vers·ing

Medical Definition of REVERSE

: to change drastically or completely the course or effect of: as a : to initiate recovery from <reverse a disease> b : to make of no effect or as if not done <reverse a surgical procedure>