Meaning & Definition of word "Reverse"
Reverse
/rɪˈvɜrs/
noun:
- 1. the opposite or contrary of something.
- Example: In this debate, the reverse of their argument is also plausible.
- 2. a change to a poorer condition or a decline.
- Example: The company faced a reverse in profits this quarter.
verb:
- 1. to change something to its opposite or to move something backward.
- Example: The engineer had to reverse the decision after realizing the mistakes in the original plan.
- 2. to go in the opposite direction.
- Example: She had to reverse the car out of the driveway.
- 3. to cause something to return to its previous state.
- Example: They are trying to reverse the effects of climate change.
adjective:
- 1. situated or moving backward.
- Example: The reverse gear is used to drive the car backward.
- 2. opposite in position or direction.
- Example: The reverse side of the document contained additional information.
Etymology
●Middle English, from Old French 'reverser' meaning to turn back
Common Phrases and Expressions
reverse psychology:
a technique involving the advocacy of a belief or behavior that is opposite to the desired outcome to encourage the desired behavior.
reverse engineering:
the process of deconstructing a product or software to understand its workings and replicate it.
reverse gear:
a mechanism in a vehicle that allows it to move backward.
Related Words
invert:
to turn something upside down or inside out
reversion:
the act of returning to a previous state
inverse:
something that is opposite to another thing
Slang Meanings of reverse
Meaning: to take back a statement or decision
● Example Sentence: I had to reverse my claim after realizing I was wrong.
Meaning: to change one's position or opinion
● Example Sentence: After hearing the new evidence, he reversed his stance on the issue.