inverse

1 of 2

adjective

in·​verse (ˌ)in-ˈvərs 

ˈin-ˌvərs

1

: opposite in order, nature, or effect

2

: being an inverse function

inverse sine

inverse

2 of 2

noun

1

: something of a contrary nature or quality : opposite, reverse

2

: a proposition or theorem formed by contradicting both the subject and predicate or both the hypothesis and conclusion of a given proposition or theorem

the inverse of "if A then B" is "if not-A then not-B"

compare contrapositive

3

a

: inverse function

also : an operation (such as subtraction) that undoes the effect of another operation

b

: a set element that is related to another element in such a way that the result of applying a given binary operation to them is an identity element of the set

Examples of inverse in a Sentence

Adjective

Addition and subtraction are inverse operations.

Noun

the inverse of your argument

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Yields and bond prices have an inverse relationship, so as yield increase, bonds decrease, often a sign of diminishing confidence among investors. —Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 23 May 2025

Modern universities are essentially engaged in a contest of inverse ratio: Which can claim the most dramatic differential between the amount of money piled up and the percentage of applicants turned away. —Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025

Noun

If Villa prepare assiduously to burst out of the blocks at home, then the inverse is often true on the road, comparable to a marathon runner who is unsure of their durability in the last few miles. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025

Food inspires art—like this opulent Loewe clutch designed to resemble a tomato and this cutlery that’s almost too beautiful to use—and of course, the inverse is also true: Art inspires food. —The Bon Appétit and Epicurious Staffs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, turned upside down, from Latin inversus, from past participle of invertere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inverse

• additive inverse
• inverse function
• inverse square law
• inverse variation
• multiplicative inverse

Rhymes for inverse

• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse
• immerse
• obverse
• perverse
• rehearse
• reverse
• transverse

Kids Definition

inverse

1 of 2 adjective

in·​verse (ˈ)in-ˈvərs 

ˈin-vərs

1

: opposite in order, nature, or effect

an inverse relationship between interest rates and houses sold

2

: being a mathematical operation opposite in effect to another

addition and subtraction are inverse operations

inverse

2 of 2 noun

in·​verse

ˈin-ˌvərs,

(ˈ)in-ˈvərs

: something inverse or resulting in or from inversion