Reverse

Part of speech: verb, noun

Pronunciation: /ɹɪˈvɜːs/

Definitions

  1. To turn something backward or upside down, or to move in the opposite direction
  2. To move in a direction opposite to the current one | To change a state, action, or order back to how it was previously | To alter the position or arrangement so it returns to an earlier form or moves backward
  3. To change the direction or order of something so that it moves backward or reverts to a previous state, or to switch positions entirely
  4. To alter the course or position of an object so it operates in the opposite manner or returns to a prior form or state

Etymology: The idea of turning something the opposite way has been captured in English by this word since the late 14th century. It originally appeared as a verb meaning "to turn back" or "go backward," reflecting a straightforward physical action. This sense likely arose from combining the prefix "re-" meaning "back" or "again," with a root related to "versus," the past participle of Latin "vertere," meaning "to turn." By the 15th century, the word also took on a noun form, describing the opposite or contrary side of something. For example, in printing and coinage, the "reverse" refers to the back side, opposite the front or "obverse." This usage captures the tangible concept of physical turning and flipping, grounding the term in material reality. Over time, the meaning expanded beyond physical turning to include abstract opposites—such as reversals of decisions, conditions, or fortunes. This semantic broadening shows how a concrete physical idea can shape the language of change and opposition more generally. The pronunciation with the stress on the second syllable has remained stable through centuries. Its Latin root "vertere" is also the source of many related English words like "convert," "invert," and "divert," all of which involve the idea of turning or changing direction. Thus, this term sits at the center of a family of words expressing turning, change, and opposition, reflecting a fundamental human experience of motion and reversal.

Synonyms: invert, revert, undo, backtrack, turn around

Antonyms: forward, progress, advance, continue, proceed