Reverse
/rɪˈvɜːrs/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo go or cause something to go in the opposite direction.
/rɪˈvɜːrs/
To move backward or in the opposite direction.
The truck driver reversed the trailer into the loading dock.
💡 Simply: Imagine a car backing up - that's reversing! It's when something goes backward, or in the opposite direction it was going.
👶 For kids: To go backwards!
More Examples
Can you reverse the instructions and try it this way?
The defendant decided to reverse his earlier decision.
How It's Used
"The car reversed out of the parking space."
"He reversed the polarity of the circuit."
To change something to the opposite, especially in decision, effect or outcome.
/rɪˈvɜːrs/
To change something to the opposite.
The company reversed its policy on remote work.
💡 Simply: Imagine a judge changing the court's decision. That's reversing! It's like making something the opposite of what it was.
👶 For kids: To make it be the opposite!
More Examples
The scientists reversed the effects of the poison.
The court reversed the conviction due to lack of evidence.
How It's Used
"The appellate court reversed the lower court's decision."
"The referee reversed the call after reviewing the replay."
The opposite or contrary of something.
/rɪˈvɜːrs/
The opposite of something.
The reverse of the coin showed the queen's profile.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have two sides to a coin: heads and tails. The 'reverse' is the side that's not the front or original.
👶 For kids: The opposite of something!
More Examples
We need to consider the reverse situation.
The reverse of the medal displayed an important date.
How It's Used
"The reverse of the policy would be beneficial."
"The reverse of the tape contained the second half of the recording."
Situated opposite, or in a contrary direction; turned backward; opposed.
/rɪˈvɜːrs/
Opposite in direction or position.
The reverse side of the garment was plain.
💡 Simply: Imagine two things facing each other, like when you look in a mirror. The 'reverse' is in the opposite direction.
👶 For kids: Going the opposite way!
More Examples
The reverse order of the numbers confused the student.
The reverse process showed the true image of the product.
How It's Used
"He drew a reverse angle."
"The company's reverse mentoring program pairs senior employees with junior employees."
Synonyms
Back
Retreat
Annul
Cancel
Overturn
Contrary
Opposite
Backward
Inverted
Idioms & expressions
reverse psychology
A way of influencing someone to do or want something by telling them the opposite or by making them think they cannot have it.
"She used reverse psychology to get her son to clean his room."
in reverse
In the opposite direction or order.
"The video played in reverse."
From Middle English *reversen*, from Old French *reverser* ('to turn back, overturn'), from Latin *revertō* ('to turn back, return').
Used since Middle English. The verb form predates the noun and adjective forms.
Memory tip
Think of a car shifting into 'reverse' gear to go backward.