versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs  -səz 

1

: against

2

: in contrast to or as the alternative of

free trade versus protection

Did you know?

Abbreviating Versus

In a number of areas the English language is possessed of an embarrassment of riches, with multiple synonyms or abbreviations for a word. One such case is versus, which is often written in a shortened form. You may choose between vs, vs., and v. Take care, when writing the word out in full, that you distinguish between versus (a preposition meaning “against”) and verses (“lines of metrical writing”).

Examples of versus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Senate Bill 75, which was signed into law last year, mandates that ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft show their drivers how much a customer will be charged and detail how much will go to the driver, versus the company. —The Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2025

Shedding these microbes onto an exercise mat versus a dumbbell is especially problematic, Tetro said, because exercise mats are like petri dishes. —Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025

The show is about the individual versus the system. —Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025

The amount of space in the back is effectively the same (2,138 liters versus 2,158 liters including the frunk) but the rear seats are now powered. —James Morris, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, towards, against, from Latin, adverb, so as to face, from past participle of vertere to turn

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs  -səz 

1

: against sense 1a

the champion versus the challenger

2

: in contrast to or as the alternative of

the tastiness of store-bought versus homemade cookies