versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs How to pronounce versus (audio) -səz How to pronounce versus (audio)
1
2
: in contrast to or as the alternative of
free trade versus protection

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its smartphone market share outside of China stood at 2.3% in 2024 versus 1.7% in 2023, according to IDC data. Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2025 Iowa State attempted 41 3s in a game versus KU on Feb. 25, 2013, in Ames, Iowa. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2025 Those who see and understand the violence of the one world worldview, the violence of majority-takes-all, the myths of good pink-white versus bad brown-black. Christine Winter, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025 How much does Thailand inform the line versus the series itself? Shivani Vora, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for versus

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of versus was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Versus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versus. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

versus

preposition
ver·​sus ˈvər-səs How to pronounce versus (audio) -səz How to pronounce versus (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on versus

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