- adverse, averse
- Occasionally confused. Averse means reluctant or disinclined (think of aversion). Adverse means hostile and antagonistic (think of adversary).
Dictionary of troublesome word. Bill Bryson. 2013.
adverse, averse
Look at other dictionaries:
adverse, averse — Adverse means opposed, contrary, hostile. Averse means reluctant and unwilling and implies a holding back because of distaste or dislike. The employees had an adverse opinion of the company plan. The company treasurer is averse to lending money… … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
adverse / averse — Adverse means unfavorable, hostile : Those driving in adverse winter conditions may be putting themselves at risk. Averse means repulsed or repelled : She was immediately averse to the idea … Confused words
adverse / averse — Adverse means unfavorable, hostile : Those driving in adverse winter conditions may be putting themselves at risk. Averse means repulsed or repelled : She was immediately averse to the idea … Confused words
averse — adverse, averse These two words both come from the Latin word vertere ‘to turn’, but averse (= turning away) means ‘opposed to’ and is typically used in negative contexts of people, whereas adverse (= turning towards, hostilely) is used of things … Modern English usage
adverse — 1 Adverse, antagonistic, counter, counteractive mean so opposed as to cause interference, often harmful or fatal interference. All four may be applied to one thing that comes into conflict with another {an adverse policy} {an adverse wind had so… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
adverse — adverse, averse These two words both come from the Latin word vertere ‘to turn’, but averse (= turning away) means ‘opposed to’ and is typically used in negative contexts of people, whereas adverse (= turning towards, hostilely) is used of things … Modern English usage
averse — See adverse. See adverse, averse … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
adverse — See adverse, averse … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
Averse — A*verse , a. [L. aversus, p. p. of avertere. See {Avert}.] 1. Turned away or backward. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The tracks averse a lying notice gave, And led the searcher backward from the cave. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. Having a repugnance or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adverse — [ advɛrs ] adj. • XVe; averse 1080; lat. adversus ♦ Opposé, contraire. L équipe, le camp adverse. « La France est divisée en deux blocs adverses » (Duhamel). Partie adverse, contre laquelle on plaide. ⊗ CONTR. Allié, ami. ● adverse adjectif… … Encyclopédie Universelle
