vice versa

adverb

vice ver·​sa ˈvīs-ˈvər-sə How to pronounce vice versa (audio) ˌvī-si-ˈvər-sə How to pronounce vice versa (audio)
Synonyms of vice versanext
: with the order changed : with the relations reversed : conversely

Examples of vice versa 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.
When an item was purchased from a combination store and returned to a standalone store (or vice versa), the company's POS system didn't immediately recognize that the original sale may have already been refunded, according to court documents. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 July 2026 The vulnerability resides in the shadow MMU emulation, a process that translates host memory addresses to hypervisor memory addresses and vice versa. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026 Some ice creams may be a better choice than some frozen yogurts and vice versa. — Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 July 2026 Only pitchers replace pitchers, but position player replacements do not have to be from the same position; for example, an outfielder can replace a shortstop or vice versa. — The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vice versa

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vice versa was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

vice-treasurership
vice versa
vice-warden
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vice versa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vice%20versa. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vice versa

adverb
vi·​ce ver·​sa
ˌvī-si-ˈvər-sə, 
(ˈ)vīs-ˈvər-
: with the order turned around
exchange money for tokens, rather than vice versa
Etymology

from Latin vice versa "with the order turned around," from vice "in place of, instead" and versa, form of versus "turned," from vertere "to turn" — related to converse, reverse, versatile

More from Merriam-Webster on vice versa

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vice versa

Nglish: Translation of vice versa for Spanish Speakers

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