averse
[ uh-vurs ]
adjective
having a strong feeling of opposition, antipathy, repugnance, etc.; opposed (often used in combination): He is not averse to having a drink now and then.Young Americans are more debt-averse than older generations.
Origin of averse
1First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin āversus “turned away, averted” (past participle of āvertere ), equivalent to ā-, prefix and preposition + vert- “turn” + -tus past participle suffix; see a-4
synonym study For averse
See reluctant.
confusables note For averse
See adverse.
Other words for averse
Opposites for averse
Other words from averse
- a·verse·ly, adverb
- a·verse·ness, noun
Words that may be confused with averse
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for averse
averse
/ (əˈvɜːs) /
adjective
(postpositive usually foll by to) opposed, disinclined, or loath
(of leaves, flowers, etc) turned away from the main stem: Compare adverse (def. 4)
Origin of averse
1C16: from Latin āversus, from āvertere to turn from, from vertere to turn
Derived forms of averse
- aversely, adverb
- averseness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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