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

The scans also showed an inverse relationship between the brain regions that enable people to plan, solve problems, and prioritize information–-called executive control domains–and the regions of the brain with more specific functions. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024

When bond prices go down, bond yields go up due to their inverse relationship. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2024

Noun

Einstein had shown that light waves can act like swarms of particles, later called photons; in 1924, Louis de Broglie assumed the inverse, that tiny particles are also wave-like. —Sidney Perkowitz, JSTOR Daily, 5 June 2024

Among those ages 44 and up, the inverse is true: 72% say classic investing practices work just fine. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2024

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

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