Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

adverse

/ˈæd.və(ɹ)s/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.89 in modern English

Syllables: ad-verse
IPA: /ˈæd.və(ɹ)s/

11

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Unfavorable; antagonistic in purpose or effect; hostile; actively opposing one's interests or wishes; contrary to one's welfare; acting against; working in an opposing direction.

adj

Opposed; contrary; opposing one's interests or desire.

adj

Opposite; confronting.

Example Sentences

"adverse criticism"
"adverse weather"
"Happy were it for us all if we bore prosperity as well and wisely as we endure an adverse fortune."
"Northbound expresses have the hardest work to perform, with adverse grades predominating from Willesden to Tring."
"Several types of diesel locomotive have been tested on this working and as a result the probable choice will be Type 2 diesels in pairs, without bankers. The crucial factor in the selection of this method is the higher degree of adhesion obtained than with a single Type 4; on trial one of the latter showed that in very adverse conditions it might slip to a standstill at one of the two tricky spots on the steep climb from Tyne Dock to Consett."
"He said Robins had not been in trouble with the law before and had no previous convictions. Jail would have an adverse effect on her and her three children as she was the main carer."

Etymology

First attested around 1374, from Old French avers (French adverse), from Latin adversus (“turned against”), past participle of advertere, from ad- (“to”) + vertere (“to turn”). See also versus.

Origin

Source language: Old French

Word Breakdown

Root: *wert-, avers, adversus

Inflected Forms

more adverse (comparative) adverser (comparative, nonstandard) most adverse (superlative) adversest (nonstandard, rare)

Derived Forms

adversely adverseness nonadverse

Phrases

adverse effect adverse event adverse impact adverse interest adverse party adverse possession adverse selection adverse witness

Frequently Paired Words

adversary adversative adversity versus averse

Synonyms

contrary inauspicious untoward

Antonyms

proverse

Rhymes With

worse nurse reverse diverse verse curse purse inverse disperse transverse perverse averse

Questions

How do you pronounce adverse?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈæd.və(ɹ)s/.
What does adverse mean?: Unfavorable; antagonistic in purpose or effect; hostile; actively opposing one's interests or wishes; contrary to one's welfare; acting against; working in an opposing direction.
Where does adverse come from?: It is traced to Old French.

How to pronounce adverse

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “adverse”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈæd.və(ɹ)s/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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