reverse
10 ENTRIES FOUND:
reverses;
reversed;
reversing
reverses;
reversed;
reversing
Britannica Dictionary definition of REVERSE
1
[+ object]
:
to change (something) to an opposite state or condition
-
Our roles as caregiver and patient have been reversed. [=switched]
-
The runners reversed their direction on the track.
-
The Supreme Court reversed [=overturned] the decision.
-
The college is trying to reverse the decline in applicants. [=the college is trying to get more people to apply]
-
Had our situations been reversed [=if I had been in the situation that you were in], I would have done things differently.
2
[+ object]
:
to cause (something, such as a process) to stop or return to an earlier state
-
We cannot reverse [=undo] the damage that is already done.
-
The medicine may reverse the course of this disease. [=the medicine may stop this disease from getting worse]
-
There is no way to reverse the aging process.
-
The operation cannot be reversed. [=undone]
-
Can anything reverse the trend toward higher prices?
3
[+ object]
a
:
to change the order or position of (two things or a series)
-
Reverse the “i” and “e” in “recieve” to spell “receive” correctly.
-
My mother and I reversed our roles. Now I'm taking care of her.
-
We're going to reverse our usual order and start with Z.
b
:
to switch the positions of the top and bottom or the front and back of (something)
-
You need to reverse the paper [=to turn the paper around] in the printer so that the letterhead is up.
-
Reverse that painting [=turn that painting over] so that I can see the back.
4
chiefly British
:
to drive (a vehicle) backward
[+ object]
-
Reverse [=(US) back, back up] the car into/out of the parking space.
[no object]
-
Reverse [=(US) back, back up] into/out of the parking space.
-
The car reversed. [=(US) backed up]
reverse the charges
British or reverse the charge
:
to arrange to have the cost of a phone call paid by the person who is called
-
He telephoned and reversed the charges. [=(US) he called collect]
reverse yourself
US, formal
:
to change your decision or opinion about something
-
The mayor has reversed himself on the issue of raising taxes.
2
reverse
/rɪˈvɚs/
noun
plural
reverses
2
reverse
/rɪˈvɚs/
noun
plural
reverses
Britannica Dictionary definition of REVERSE
1
the reverse
:
something that is opposite to something else
— often + of
-
The river flows south to north, rather than the reverse. [=north to south]
-
Women may play in the men's league, but not the reverse. [=but men cannot play in the women's league]
-
I thought she would like the movie, but actually the reverse was true. [=she didn't like the movie]
-
You don't owe me any money. If anything, the reverse is true. [=I owe you money]
-
“Did you think it would be difficult?” “Quite the reverse. [=quite the contrary] I thought it would be easy.”
-
The ending of the book was the reverse of what I expected.
2
the reverse
:
the back side of a coin, document, etc.
-
The building appears on the reverse of the coin.
-
Please sign your name on the reverse.
3
[noncount]
:
reverse gear
— sometimes used figuratively
-
I put the car in/into reverse and backed out of the garage.
-
The economy seems to be stuck in reverse. [=the economy is continuing to get worse]
4
[count]
formal
:
a change that makes something worse
— usually plural
-
The loss of their support was a serious reverse for the project.
-
The company has had some financial reverses. [=setbacks]
5
[count]
American football
:
a play in which one player gives the ball to another player who is moving in the opposite direction
in reverse
1
a
:
in an order in which the last part is first and the first part is last
:
backward
-
In her latest film, the story is told in reverse. We see the main character as an adult in the beginning and as a child at the end.
-
The winners were called in reverse from last place to first place.
b
:
in a way that is opposite to what is normal or to what happened earlier
-
Ten years ago, American tourists flocked to Europe. But now that the dollar is weak, we have the same situation in reverse. Europeans are coming to the U.S. in record numbers.
2
:
toward an opposite or worse state or condition
-
The talks between the labor union and workers seem to be moving in reverse.
into reverse
:
into an opposite state or condition
-
The decrease in profit has been put into reverse.
-
The economy has gone into reverse. [=has gotten worse]
3
reverse
/rɪˈvɚs/
adjective
3
reverse
/rɪˈvɚs/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of REVERSE
always used before a noun
1
:
opposite to what is usual or stated
-
Can you say the alphabet in reverse order?
-
The wheel will not turn in the reverse [=other] direction.
-
The drug is used to lower blood pressure but may have the reverse effect in some patients.
2
:
opposite to the front
-
Please sign your name on the reverse [=back] side.
