Word
adverse
Phoneticsad·verse, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈædˌvɝs/
UK/ædvˈɜːs/
Definitions
01harmful or unfavourable
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
adj. harmful, negative, or preventing success.
adj. unfavourable or antagonistic in effect; acting against one's interests or welfare.
Español:adverso
“The match was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.”
“The pharmaceutical company was forced to halt the clinical trial after several participants reported adverse reactions to the new medication.”
Usage
Commonly collocates with 'weather', 'conditions', 'effects', and 'reactions'.
Pitfall
The medicine had averse side effects.
The medicine had adverse side effects.
Do not confuse 'adverse' (harmful conditions) with 'averse' (a person's strong dislike or opposition to something).
Teaching tip
Learners frequently confuse this with 'averse'. Remind them that 'adverse' usually describes things or situations, while 'averse' describes a person's feelings (e.g., 'risk-averse').
Synonyms
Antonyms
02opposite or confronting
C2 · Proficiency Science Technical · Formal
adj. facing the opposite way or being on the opposite side.
adj. positioned in an opposite direction or confronting; often used in technical or botanical contexts.
Español:adverso
“The leaves grow in an adverse position along the stem.”
“The researcher noted the adverse placement of the sensors, which resulted in conflicting data streams during the initial phase of the experiment.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “adverse” in context.
Verb
01. experience adverse circumstances
“Many small businesses experience adverse circumstances during a recession.”
verb + noun
02. mitigate adverse impacts
“New regulations were introduced to mitigate adverse impacts on the environment.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. adverse effect
“Rising interest rates could have an adverse effect on the housing market.”
adj + noun
04. adverse reaction
“The patient experienced a severe adverse reaction to the new medication.”
adj + noun
05. adverse weather conditions
“The flight was canceled due to adverse weather conditions in the Atlantic.”
adj + noun
06. highly adverse
“The company managed to survive despite operating in a highly adverse economic climate.”
adv + adj
Preposition
07. under adverse conditions
“The explorers had to set up camp under extremely adverse conditions.”
prep + noun
08. adverse effects
09. adverse health
Real-World Examples
“Ed Wollaston, director of global response at Ambrey, said the “extremely challenging situation” had been complicated by adverse weather from the annual Khareef monsoon.” “A class of synthetic chemicals that take an extremely long time to break down, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) face rising restrictions worldwide due to adverse health effects.” “Austin Xu, co-founder of US start-up Kuse AI, says it is due to Japanese companies being conservative and risk adverse.” “The discipline of sociology, already a target of intellectual conservatives who dislike its radical roots, may also see adverse effects, as its standards are questioned.” Etymology
First attested around 1374, from Old French avers (French adverse), from Latin adversus (“turned against”), past participle of advertere, from ad- (“to”) + vertere (“to turn”). See also versus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/adverse
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0