REVERSE

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does reverse mean? 

• REVERSE (noun)
  The noun REVERSE has 6 senses:

1. a relation of direct opposition
2. the gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed
3. an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
4. the side of a coin or medal that does not bear the principal design
5. (American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction
6. turning in the opposite direction

  Familiarity information: REVERSE used as a noun is common.

• REVERSE (adjective)
  The adjective REVERSE has 3 senses:

1. directed or moving toward the rear
2. reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect
3. of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle

  Familiarity information: REVERSE used as an adjective is uncommon.

• REVERSE (verb)
  The verb REVERSE has 4 senses:

1. change to the contrary
2. turn inside out or upside down
3. rule against
4. annul by recalling or rescinding

  Familiarity information: REVERSE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• REVERSE (noun)

Meaning:

A relation of direct opposition

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Synonyms:

contrary; reverse; opposite

Context example:

we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true

Hypernyms ("reverse" is a kind of...):

oppositeness; opposition (the relation between opposed entities)

Meaning:

The gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("reverse" is a kind of...):

gear; gear mechanism (a mechanism for transmitting motion for some specific purpose (as the steering gear of a vehicle))

Holonyms ("reverse" is a part of...):

auto; automobile; car; machine; motorcar (a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine)

Meaning:

An unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

setback; reversal; reverse; blow; black eye

Hypernyms ("reverse" is a kind of...):

happening; natural event; occurrence; occurrent (an event that happens)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "reverse"):

whammy (a serious or devastating setback)

Meaning:

The side of a coin or medal that does not bear the principal design

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

verso; reverse

Hypernyms ("reverse" is a kind of...):

side (an extended outer surface of an object)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "reverse"):

tail ((usually plural) the reverse side of a coin that does not bear the representation of a person's head)

Holonyms ("reverse" is a part of...):

coin (a metal piece (usually a disc) used as money)

Antonym:

obverse (the side of a coin or medal bearing the principal stamp or design)

Meaning:

(American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("reverse" is a kind of...):

run; running; running game; running play ((American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team)

Domain category:

American football; American football game (a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "reverse"):

double reverse ((American football) a running play in which a first reverse is followed by a second reverse)

Meaning:

Turning in the opposite direction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

turnabout; reversion; turnaround; reversal; reverse

Hypernyms ("reverse" is a kind of...):

change of direction; reorientation (the act of changing the direction in which something is oriented)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "reverse"):

about turn; about-face (act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation)

u-turn (complete reversal of direction of travel)

• REVERSE (adjective)

Meaning:

Directed or moving toward the rear

Synonyms:

rearward; reverse

Context examples:

a rearward glance / a rearward movement

Similar:

backward (directed or facing toward the back or rear)

Meaning:

Reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect

Synonyms:

inverse; reverse

Similar:

backward (directed or facing toward the back or rear)

Meaning:

Of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle

Context example:

in reverse gear

Antonym:

forward (of the transmission gear causing forward movement in a motor vehicle)

• REVERSE (verb)

Meaning:

Change to the contrary

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

change by reversal; reverse; turn

Context examples:

The trend was reversed / the tides turned against him / public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern

Hypernyms (to "reverse" is one way to...):

change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "reverse"):

undo (cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect)

deconsecrate; desecrate; unhallow (remove the consecration from a person or an object)

desynchronise; desynchronize (cause to become desynchronized; cause to occur at unrelated times)

regress; retrovert; return; revert; turn back (go back to a previous state)

metamorphose; transfigure; transmogrify (change completely the nature or appearance of)

commute; permute; transpose (change the order or arrangement of)

falsify (falsify knowingly)

correct; rectify; right (make right or correct)

exchange; switch; switch over (change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence)

commutate (reverse the direction of (an alternating electric current) each half cycle so as to produce a unidirectional current)

turn the tables; turn the tide (cause a complete reversal of the circumstances)

alternate; flip; flip-flop; interchange; switch; tack (reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action))

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Meaning:

Turn inside out or upside down

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

reverse; invert; turn back

Hypernyms (to "reverse" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Meaning:

Rule against

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

override; overrule; overthrow; reverse; overturn

Context example:

The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill

Hypernyms (to "reverse" is one way to...):

decree; rule (decide with authority)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Meaning:

Annul by recalling or rescinding

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

countermand; rescind; repeal; annul; revoke; vacate; reverse; overturn; lift

Context examples:

He revoked the ban on smoking / lift an embargo / vacate a death sentence

Hypernyms (to "reverse" is one way to...):

cancel; strike down (declare null and void; make ineffective)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "reverse"):

go back on; renege; renege on; renegue on (fail to fulfill a promise or obligation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something