Dictionary

adverse en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ədˈvɜ(ɹ)s/
• (US) audio
• /ˈæd.və(ɹ)s/

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.

Meanings

1. 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.
   • 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. 2011 December 14, Steven Morris, “Devon woman jailed for 168 days for killing kitten in microwave”, in Guardian:
   • adverse weather
   • Northbound expresses have the hardest work to perform, with adverse grades predominating from Willesden to Tring. 1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 98:
   • adverse criticism
   • 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. 1964 September, “News: Fewer diesels for NER in 1965”, in Modern Railways, page 201:
   • Happy were it for us all if we bore prosperity as well and wisely as we endure an adverse fortune. 1829, Robert Southey, “(please specify the page)”, in Sir Thomas More: or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], →OCLC:
2. Opposed; contrary; opposing one's interests or desire.
   • adverse circumstances
3. (not-comparable) Opposite; confronting.
   • the adverse party
   • Now the families of the two lovers were not on very good terms; they were, I believe, rather adverse to one another. 1835, James Hogg, The Story of Euphemia Hewit:
   • the adverse page
   • Calpe's adverse height / […] must greet my sight 1809, Lord Byron, English Bards and Scotch Reviewers:

Forms

Antonyms

proverse

Deriveds

adverseness · adverse impact · adverse interest · nonadverse · adverse event · adverse party · adversely · adverse selection · adverse yaw · adverse possession · adverse effect · adverse witness

Relateds

versus · averse · adversity · adversative · adversary

Translations (60)

pt oposto (3. opposite) · es adverso (1. unfavourable) · es adverso (2. contrary, hostile) · bg противопоставящ се (2. contrary, hostile) · de gegnerisch (2. contrary, hostile) · it avverso (1. unfavourable) · ru противополо́жный (3. opposite) · pt adverso (1. unfavourable) · pl niepomyślny (1. unfavourable) · no ugunstig (1. unfavourable) · fi epäsuotuisa (1. unfavourable) · pl niepomyślny (2. contrary, hostile) · mi koaro (3. opposite) · pl niekorzystny (2. contrary, hostile) · pt contrário (2. contrary, hostile) · fr défavorable (1. unfavourable) · hi विरोधी (2. contrary, hostile) · ro nefavorabil (1. unfavourable) · ca advers (2. contrary, hostile) · ru вражде́бный (2. contrary, hostile) · pt adverso (2. contrary, hostile) · ro advers (2. contrary, hostile) · de widrig (1. unfavourable) · it contrario (1. unfavourable) · cmn 敵對的 /敌对的 (1. unfavourable) · mk непо́волен (1. unfavourable) · uk ворожий (2. contrary, hostile) · fi nurja (3. opposite) · pl niekorzystny (1. unfavourable) · gv meefoayroil (1. unfavourable) · pl niesprzyjający (1. unfavourable) · kk қолайсыз (1. unfavourable) · fi vasta- (3. opposite) · ca advers (1. unfavourable) · la adversus (1. unfavourable) · ka მავნე (1. unfavourable) · kk жағымсыз (1. unfavourable) · bg неблагоприятен (1. unfavourable) · pl niesprzyjający (2. contrary, hostile) · ru неблагоприя́тный (1. unfavourable) · fi vastakkainen (3. opposite) · mk лош (2. contrary, hostile) · ro ostil (2. contrary, hostile) · no uhensiktsmessig (1. unfavourable) · it ostile (2. contrary, hostile) · mk непо́волен (2. contrary, hostile) · hi प्रतिकूल (1. unfavourable) · pt desfavorável (1. unfavourable) · it avverso (2. contrary, hostile) · ro advers (1. unfavourable) · ca advers (3. opposite) · fi vastakkainen (2. contrary, hostile) · ro opus (3. opposite) · mk спро́тивен (3. opposite) · no motstående (3. opposite) · kk жағдайсыз (1. unfavourable) · uk протилежний (3. opposite) · uk несприятливий (1. unfavourable) · bg обратен (3. opposite) · bg враждебен (2. contrary, hostile)