versus
VUR-suhs
Versus (prep) means Against, or in opposition to, especially in a contest, match, or legal case. Example: “Tonight's match is Brazil versus Argentina.”
prep
1
Against, or in opposition to, especially in a contest, match, or legal case.
"Tonight's match is Brazil versus Argentina."
"The court case was recorded as Smith versus Jones."
"The big game this weekend is City versus United, and tickets sold out quickly."
2
Used to compare one option or idea directly with another.
"The debate came down to cost versus quality."
"We argued for an hour about renting versus buying a home."
"Many people struggle with the choice of comfort versus style when buying shoes."
How to use versus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to set two things, sides, or ideas directly against or opposite each other.
UK vs US
Often abbreviated to "vs" or "v" in both British and American usage, especially in sport and law.
Common pairings
home versus away
renting versus buying
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- versuses
- Past tense
- versused
Fill the gap
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Tonight's match is Brazil _____ Argentina.
Etymology
From Latin versus, "turned toward, facing", the past participle of vertere, "to turn".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “versus” mean?
The word “versus” means against, or in opposition to, especially in a contest, match, or legal case. In plain terms, used to set two things, sides, or ideas directly against or opposite each other.
How do you pronounce “versus”?
“Versus” is pronounced VUR-suhs (/ˈvɝsəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “versus” in a sentence?
Here is “versus” used in a sentence: “Tonight's match is Brazil versus Argentina.”
What part of speech is “versus”?
“Versus” is a preposition.
Where does the word “versus” come from?
The word “versus” comes from Latin. From Latin versus, "turned toward, facing", the past participle of vertere, "to turn".
Is “versus” a common word?
“Versus” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “versus” have?
“Versus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: against, or in opposition to, especially in a contest, match, or legal case.
What is the difference between "versus" and "vs"?
Versus is the full word meaning against or in opposition to, while "vs" and "vs." are its common abbreviations. In legal case names the abbreviation is usually shortened further to "v.", as in Roe v. Wade, whereas sports and general writing tend to use "vs" or the spelled-out versus.
When should you use versus instead of against?
Versus is best when you are naming two sides in a contest, match, or legal case, or directly comparing two options, as in speed versus accuracy. Against is more flexible and is preferred in ordinary sentences describing opposition, such as "they fought against the decision."
Is versus formal or informal?
Versus is neutral and works in both formal and everyday writing, appearing in legal, academic, and sports contexts alike. When abbreviated, "v." suits legal citations while "vs" is more common in casual and sporting use.
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