reverse

Reverse is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• (UK) IPA: /ɹəˈvɜː(ɹ)s/, SAMPA: /r@"v3:(r)s/

Verb

Plain form reverse

Third-person singular reverses

Past tense reversed

Past participle reversed

Present participle reversing

1. (transitive & intransitive) If you reverse something, you make it act or move opposite to before (in the other direction).

   The new president reversed the decision to expand the factory.

   There were many new jobs in the early 90s, but then the cycle was completely reversed, and thousands of people were out of work.

   She reversed the car into the parking space.

   When my mom got sick, our roles were reversed and I began to care for her.

   Now reverse your position by raising your right hand and lowering your left.

Synonyms

• undo
• back up

Related words

• reversal

Noun

Singular reverse

Plural reverses

1. The reverse of something is its opposite.

   Female professors are often married to male professors, but the reverse is not as common.

2. In a machine, reverse is a setting that makes it act or move opposite to before.

   As the plane landed, the engines went into reverse, helping us to stop.

   When the Chinese started selling cars, the Japanese automobile industry went into rapid reverse.

3. The reverse of something is it's other side.

   Details can be found on the reverse of this paper.

Antonyms

• forward
• front
• vice versa
• set back
• obverse
• undoing

Synonyms

• reversal
• opposite