Adversely
/ˈædvɜːrsli/
adverbIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
In a way that prevents success or development; negatively.
/ˈædvɜːrsli/
adverbnegativeIntermediate
General
In a harmful or unfavorable way.
The weather adversely affected our plans for a picnic.
💡 Simply: In a bad or harmful way.
More Examples
2
His health was adversely impacted by years of smoking.
How It's Used
Business
"The economic downturn adversely affected the company's profits."
Science
"The experiment's results were adversely impacted by unforeseen circumstances."
From Middle English *adversly*, from Old French *adversement*, from Latin *adversus* ('opposed to, facing').
The word has been used in a similar sense since Middle English, often in legal and formal contexts.
Memory tip
Think 'ad' (to) + 'verse' (against) - it's working against something.
Practice
adverslyadverseley
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written