Reverse - English meaning

noun

An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.

Usage examples:

He had an accident at the factory

noun

An event not intended by anyone but which has the result of injuring someone or damaging something

Usage examples:

He was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 21., it’s no accident that (= there are reaso…

noun

Something bad that happens that is not expected or intended and that often damages something or injures someone

Usage examples:

Have an accident josh had an accident and spilled water all over his work., involved in an accident…

noun

A difficult or unpleasant situation.

Usage examples:

Resilience in the face of adversity

noun

A difficult or unlucky situation or event

Usage examples:

[ u ] she’s cheerful in the face of adversity.

noun

A cause of pain or harm.

Usage examples:

A crippling affliction of the nervous system

noun

Something that makes you suffer

Usage examples:

Malnutrition is one of the common afflictions of the poor.

verb

Change in character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way.

Usage examples:

Eliot was persuaded to alter the passage

verb

To change a characteristic, often slightly, or to cause this to happen

Usage examples:

[ t ] the coat was too long, so i took it back to the store to have it altered., some things in lif…

verb

To change the appearance, character, or structure of something, or to be changed in this way

Usage examples:

Just last week, the company agreed to alter some of its business practices., if they want to contin…

verb

Declare invalid (an official agreement, decision, or result).

Usage examples:

The decision was annulled by the courts

verb

To announce officially a law, marriage, or other contract as no longer existing

Usage examples:

The contract was finally annulled., you will need a court hearing to get an annulment.

verb

To state officially that something such as a law, agreement, or marriage no longer exists

Usage examples:

The court did not annul the sentences but ruled they should be reviewed., we will seek an early hea…

noun

A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

Usage examples:

Love is the antithesis of selfishness

noun

The exact opposite

Usage examples:

She is slim and shy - the very antithesis of her sister., he is the exact antithesis of what i find…

noun

A difference or opposition between two things

Usage examples:

Thanks to the collapse of communism the political antithesis between left and right is less importa…

adjective

Directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible.

Usage examples:

People whose religious beliefs are antithetical to mine

adjective

Exactly the opposite of someone or something or of each other

Usage examples:

The idea that science is antithetical to the arts is wrong., birth and death are antithetical., in …

adjective

Very different from and in opposition to someone or something or each other

Usage examples:

In her view, elite sports are actually antithetical to healthy living., it's fascinating to wonder …

noun

The less important side of a single (= a record containing one song on each side)

noun

The rear surface of the human body from the shoulders to the hips.

Usage examples:

He lay on his back

adverb

In the opposite direction from the one that one is facing or travelling towards.

Usage examples:

He moved back a pace

verb

Give financial, material, or moral support to.

Usage examples:

He had a newspaper empire backing him

verb

(of wind) move creating an air current.

Usage examples:

A cold breeze was blowing in off the sea

noun

A strong wind.

Usage examples:

We're in for a bit of a blow

noun

A powerful stroke with a hand, weapon, or hard object.

Usage examples:

He received a blow to the skull

verb

Decide or announce that (a planned event) will not take place.

Usage examples:

He was forced to cancel his visit

noun

A mark made on a postage stamp to show that it has been used.

Usage examples:

A stamp franked and with an adhesive cancel

verb

To decide that something arranged in advance will not happen, or to state that you do not wish to receive something

Usage examples:

[ i ] we were supposed to meet for dinner but elise had to cancel at the last minute., [ t ] he col…

verb

(of a boat) be overturned in the water.

Usage examples:

The craft capsized in heavy seas

noun

An instance of capsizing.

Usage examples:

Do you know what to do in the event of a capsize?

verb

To turn over or cause a boat or ship to turn over in the water

Usage examples:

[ i ] a passenger ferry capsized in rough seas sunday morning.

noun

An event causing great and usually sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.

Usage examples:

An environmental catastrophe

noun

A sudden event that causes great suffering or destruction

Usage examples:

Losing his job was a financial catastrophe for his family., a chemical plant leak could cause an en…

noun

A sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction

Usage examples:

They were warned of the ecological catastrophe to come.

verb

Make (someone or something) different; alter or modify.

Usage examples:

Both parties voted against proposals to change the law

noun

An act or process through which something becomes different.

Usage examples:

The change from a nomadic to an agricultural society

verb

To exchange one thing for another thing, especially of a similar type

Usage examples:

Change jobs she's just changed jobs., change the subject let's change the subject (= talk about som…

verb

Examine (something) in order to determine its accuracy, quality, or condition, or to detect the presence of something.

Usage examples:

Customs officers have the right to check all luggage

noun

An examination to test or ascertain accuracy, quality, or satisfactory condition.

Usage examples:

A campaign calling for regular checks on gas appliances

exclamation

Us spelling of cheque.

adjective

Opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.

Usage examples:

He ignored contrary advice and agreed on the deal

noun

The opposite.

Usage examples:

An act applies only to the united kingdom unless the contrary is expressed

noun

A fact or opinion that is the opposite of one already stated

Usage examples:

We expected the play to be a bore, but the contrary was true., most people supported the proposal, …

adjective

Differing strikingly.

Usage examples:

A contrasting view

verb

Differ strikingly.

Usage examples:

His friend's success contrasted with his own failure

adjective

Very different

Usage examples:

The sudden changes at the political top have spawned two contrasting interpretations.

verb

Engage in conversation.

Usage examples:

She was withdrawn and preoccupied, hardly able to converse with her mother

noun

Conversation.

Usage examples:

His converse at such seasons was always elevating

adjective

Having characteristics which are the reverse of something else already mentioned.

Usage examples:

The only mode of change will be the slow process of growth and the converse process of decay

noun

A long flat-topped fitment across which business is conducted in a shop or bank or refreshments are served in a cafeteria.

Usage examples:

Having eaten these we were hard pressed to ignore the shop counter as we departed.

verb

Speak or act in opposition to.

Usage examples:

The second argument is more difficult to counter

adverb

In the opposite direction or in opposition to.

Usage examples:

His writing ran counter to the dominant trends of the decade

verb

Revoke or cancel (an order).

Usage examples:

An order to arrest the strike leaders had been countermanded

noun

An order revoking a previous one.

Usage examples:

I forthwith mounted, and went off, lest i should receive a countermand

verb

To change an order that has already been given, especially by giving a new order

Usage examples:

Oral approval will form part of the agreement unless it is countermanded by the client within two w…

verb

Win a victory over (someone) in a battle or other contest; overcome or beat.

Usage examples:

Garibaldi defeated the neapolitan army

noun

An instance of defeating or being defeated.

Usage examples:

A 1–0 defeat by grimsby

verb

To oppose and cause someone to lose in a competition or war so that you can win

Usage examples:

Bill clinton defeated george bush for the presidency in 1992., [ u ] in the american civil war, the…

verb

Refuse to declare valid.

Usage examples:

He was offside and the goal was disallowed

verb

To state officially that something cannot be accepted or allowed, because it has not been done in the correct way

Usage examples:

The monopolies legislation disallows mergers of major companies within one industry., disallow clai…

verb

To say officially that something cannot be accepted because it has not been done in the correct way

Usage examples:

All protests have been disallowed in the city., the england team had two goals disallowed.

noun

Sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfilment of one's hopes or expectations.

Usage examples:

To her disappointment, there was no chance to talk privately with luke

noun

The unhappiness or discouragement that results when your hopes or expectations have not been satisfied, or someone or something that is not as good as you had hoped or expected

Usage examples:

[ u ] her disappointment showed on her face., [ c ] after two losing seasons, we felt he was a disa…

noun

The feeling of being disappointed

Usage examples:

Avoid disappointment get tickets early to avoid disappointment., to someone’s disappointment to my …

noun

A sudden accident or a natural catastrophe that causes great damage or loss of life.

Usage examples:

159 people died in the disaster

noun

An event causing great harm, damage, or suffering

Usage examples:

[ c/u ] financial disaster, [ u ] disaster aid/relief, [ c ] over 100 people died in the disaster.,…

noun

A sudden event that causes a lot of damage, such as a very bad fire, storm, or accident

Usage examples:

Insurance companies often charge extra to cover floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters., m…

verb

Turn (a structure or organ) outwards or inside out.

Usage examples:

The brown hyena deposits chemicals by everting an anal pouch

verb

Turn something outwards or inside out

noun

Lack of success.

Usage examples:

An economic policy that is doomed to failure

noun

The fact of someone or something not succeeding

Usage examples:

Complete failure the meeting was a complete failure., total failure now she finally had to admit th…

noun

The fact of not doing something that you must do or are expected to do

Usage examples:

Failure to his failure to return her phone call made her realize that something was wrong., failure…

noun

Severe suffering or privation.

Usage examples:

Intolerable levels of hardship

noun

A condition of life that causes difficulty or suffering

Usage examples:

[ u ] the 1930s were a time of high unemployment and economic hardship.

noun

A condition that causes difficulty or suffering, for example, being without a job or enough money

Usage examples:

Financial/economic hardship the price of cooking gas increased five-fold, worsening the economic ha…

noun

A shy, reticent person.

Usage examples:

I'm an introvert and don't like public speaking

adjective

Another term for introverted.

noun

Someone who is shy, quiet, and prefers to spend time alone rather than often being with other people

verb

Be turned inside out or folded back on itself to form a cavity or pouch.

Usage examples:

In some areas, the lining cells invaginated into the underlying fibrous tissue and appeared as glan…

adjective

Opposite or contrary in position, direction, order, or effect.

Usage examples:

Numerous studies have shown an inverse relationship between exercise and the risk of heart disease

noun

Something that is the opposite or reverse of something else.

Usage examples:

Power is the inverse of dependence

adjective

Changing in an opposite direction in relation to something else, esp. an amount

Usage examples:

In inverse proportion, an inverse relationship, by and large, your ability to cope with change vari…

verb

Put upside down or in the opposite position, order, or arrangement.

Usage examples:

Invert the mousse on to a serving plate

noun

An arch constructed in an upside-down position to provide lateral support, e.g. in a tunnel.

noun

Short for invertebrate.

noun

Death caused by a person accidentally while performing a legal act without negligence or intent to harm.

Usage examples:

The coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure

noun

Bad luck, or an experience with a bad result

noun

Bad luck.

Usage examples:

The project was dogged by misfortune

noun

Bad luck, or an unlucky event

Usage examples:

[ c ] never take delight in someone’s personal misfortunes., [ u ] the school nurse was as mean a l…

noun

An unlucky accident.

Usage examples:

Although there were a few minor mishaps, none of the pancakes stuck to the ceiling

noun

An accident or unlucky event

Usage examples:

[ u ] the parade took place without mishap.

noun

Failure to achieve the results wanted or hoped for

Usage examples:

Not recruiting and training younger team members is a recipe for non-success in this market., the s…

verb

Make legally null and void; invalidate.

Usage examples:

It is at the discretion of the court to nullify the decision

verb

To cause an agreement or result to be no longer effective or consider it as not existing

Usage examples:

The referee nullified the goal.

verb

To make a legal agreement or decision no longer have any legal force

Usage examples:

The airline wants to nullify employees' contracts if no settlement is reached., a suit has been fil…

noun

The side of a coin or medal bearing the head or principal design.

Usage examples:

It was no wonder that this minting machine was chosen as part of the design for the obverse of the …

adjective

Of or denoting the obverse of a coin or medal.

Usage examples:

The designs of the medals are based on a traditional style that includes a generic obverse side, ba…

adjective

In conflict or competition with someone or something.

Usage examples:

The opposing team

verb

Disagree with and attempt to prevent, especially by argument.

Usage examples:

A majority of the electorate opposed ec membership

adjective

Competing or fighting against each other

Usage examples:

Opposing factions on the committee are refusing to compromise., the article tries to show opposing …

adjective

Situated on the other or further side when seen from a specified or implicit viewpoint; facing.

Usage examples:

A crowd gathered on the opposite side of the street

noun

A person or thing that is totally different from or the reverse of someone or something else.

Usage examples:

We were opposites in temperament

adverb

In a position facing a specified or implied subject.

Usage examples:

She was sitting almost opposite

verb

Use one's authority to reject or cancel (a decision, view, etc.).

Usage examples:

The courts will ultimately override any objections

noun

A device for suspending an automatic function on a machine.

Usage examples:

The flash has to have a manual override to be useful

verb

To ignore or refuse to accept a suggestion, idea, or method that already exists or operates

Usage examples:

The legislature voted to override the presidential veto.

verb

Reject or disallow by exercising one's superior authority.

Usage examples:

Chief judge moran overruled the government's objections

verb

Overturn.

Usage examples:

He overset the primus stove while cooking his supper

verb

Remove forcibly from power.

Usage examples:

Military coups which had attempted to overthrow the king

noun

A removal from power.

Usage examples:

The speeches called for the overthrow of the monarchy

verb

Tip (something) over so that it is on its side or upside down.

Usage examples:

The crowd proceeded to overturn cars and set them on fire

noun

An act of overturning something.

Usage examples:

For the most part the only people who actually bothered to look at the registration rolls and allow…

verb

To turn over, or to cause something to turn over

Usage examples:

[ i ] the truck overturned, spilling its cargo., [ t ] the court of appeals overturned her convicti…

noun

The back part of something, especially a building or vehicle.

Usage examples:

The kitchen door at the rear of the house

adjective

At the back.

Usage examples:

The car's rear window

verb

Bring up and care for (a child) until they are fully grown.

Usage examples:

Nigel was born and reared in bath

verb

Revoke or annul (a law or act of parliament).

Usage examples:

The legislation was repealed five months later

noun

The action of revoking or annulling a law or act of parliament.

Usage examples:

The house voted in favour of repeal

verb

(of a government) to make a law no longer a law

Usage examples:

Legislators repealed the sales tax., senators called for the law’s repeal.

verb

Refuse to accept; reject.

Usage examples:

She has repudiated policies associated with previous party leaders

verb

To refuse to accept or obey something or someone; reject

Usage examples:

The evidence presented at the trial has since been repudiated., the election results were a repudia…

verb

To decide that an agreement is no longer effective and that you will not do what it says you must do

Usage examples:

Repudiate a contract/agreement failure to deliver on time will entitle the buyer to repudiate the c…

verb

Revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement).

Usage examples:

The government eventually rescinded the directive

verb

To make a law, order, or decision no longer have any legal effect

Usage examples:

The vote rescinds zoning decisions made earlier in the decade.

verb

To officially end a law, take back a decision, or say that an agreement no longer exists

Usage examples:

Rescind a law/contract/decision we urge the committee to rescind its decision.

noun

A change to an opposite direction, position, or course of action.

Usage examples:

A dramatic reversal in population decline in the alps

verb

Officially cancel (a decree, decision, or promise).

Usage examples:

The men appealed and the sentence was revoked

verb

To say officially that an agreement, permission, or law is no longer effective

Usage examples:

Licenses can be revoked for up to five years.

verb

To state officially that an agreement, right, or legal document is no longer effective

Usage examples:

The commission may revoke the registration of anyone convicted of a felony in the past 10 years., r…

noun

A disorderly retreat of defeated troops.

Usage examples:

The retreat degenerated into a rout

verb

Defeat and cause to retreat in disorder.

Usage examples:

In a matter of minutes the attackers were routed

verb

Cut a groove, or any pattern not extending to the edges, in (a wooden or metal surface).

Usage examples:

You routed each plank all along its length

phrasal verb

Give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

phrasal verb

To save for a particular purpose

Usage examples:

He sets aside some time every day to read to his children., after melting the chocolate, set it asi…

phrasal verb

To save something, especially money, for a special purpose

Usage examples:

Businesses that create new jobs are eligible for a tax credit, for which the state currently sets a…

noun

A reversal or check in progress.

Usage examples:

A serious setback for the peace process

noun

Something that causes delay or stops progress

Usage examples:

Democrats suffered a serious setback in yesterday’s election, losing all three contested seats.

noun

Something that happens that causes a delay or prevents a process from continuing

Usage examples:

He suffered a setback yesterday in his attempts to take a stake in the mobile phone company., a set…

noun

An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe.

Usage examples:

A tragedy that killed 95 people

noun

A very sad event or situation, esp. one involving death or suffering

Usage examples:

[ u ] his reckless driving was bound to end in tragedy., [ c ] it’s a tragedy (that) so many childr…

idiom

To search every part of a place very carefully

Usage examples:

I've turned the house inside out but i still can't find my keys.

idiom

To search everywhere for something, sometimes leaving a place very untidy

Usage examples:

I turned the apartment upside down but i couldn't find the letter., another poor harvest could turn…

noun

The bottom or lower side or surface of something.

Usage examples:

The butterfly's wings have a mottled brown pattern on the underside

noun

The lower or bottom side of something

Usage examples:

Mites feed on the underside of leaves.

verb

Unfasten, untie, or loosen (something).

Usage examples:

The knot was difficult to undo

noun

A feature of a computer program that allows a user to cancel or reverse the last command executed.

Usage examples:

The undo command

verb

Cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect

verb

Set or turn (something) on its end or upside down.

Usage examples:

She upended a can of soup over the portions

verb

To push or move something so that the part that usually touches the ground is not touching the ground any more

Usage examples:

She upended the chessboard halfway through the game because she was losing.

verb

Make (someone) unhappy, disappointed, or worried.

Usage examples:

The accusation upset her

noun

An unexpected result or situation.

Usage examples:

The greatest upset in boxing history

adjective

Unhappy, disappointed, or worried.

Usage examples:

She looked pale and upset

noun

An improvement or upward trend, especially in economic conditions or someone's fortunes.

Usage examples:

An upturn in the economy

verb

Turn (something) upwards or upside down.

Usage examples:

Nearly four feet of water cascaded over the park, upturning paving stones and play equipment

noun

An increase in the amount or success of something, such as a country's economic activity

Usage examples:

Economic/market upturn there are fears that higher borrowing rates will threaten the economic uptur…

noun

A left-hand page of an open book, or the back of a loose document.

Usage examples:

Happily, the verso of the title page tells us why: it's printed in 11.75 point on 15.5 point minion…

noun

The back of something that is printed on both sides

noun

A constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a lawmaking body.

Usage examples:

Neither state was given a veto over amendments to the act

verb

Exercise a veto against (a decision or proposal).

Usage examples:

The president vetoed the bill

noun

The power to refuse to allow something to be done, or such a refusal

Usage examples:

[ c ] the president has promised a veto if congress passes that bill., [ u ] the mayor will have no…

noun

A change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.

Usage examples:

Her husband's sharp vicissitudes of fortune

adjective

Not valid or legally binding.

Usage examples:

The contract was void

noun

A completely empty space.

Usage examples:

The black void of space

verb

Declare that (something) is not valid or legally binding.

Usage examples:

The supreme court voided the statute