# reverse

/ɹiˈvɝs/ (US) · /ɹɪvˈɜːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reverse
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to change direction or order

verb · CEFR B1

to change something so it goes in the opposite direction or follows the opposite order.

For teachers: to transpose the positions of elements or to cause a process to run in the opposite sequence.

- The new manager decided to reverse the company's policy on remote work.
- The researchers had to reverse the order of the steps to see if the chemical reaction would still occur under cooler conditions.

### 2. to drive backwards

verb · CEFR A2

to drive a car or other vehicle backwards.

For teachers: to operate a vehicle in a rearward direction. Often used intransitively or with a reflexive pronoun.

- It is difficult to reverse a large truck into a narrow driveway.
- The driver carefully reversed the trailer toward the loading dock, relying entirely on his side mirrors to guide the maneuver.

### 3. to cancel a legal decision

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to officially change a legal decision or a rule to the opposite.

For teachers: to annul or overrule a previous legal judgement, verdict, or administrative decree.

- The higher court chose to reverse the earlier judge's decision.
- The Supreme Court eventually reversed the ruling, citing a fundamental misinterpretation of the constitutional protections regarding privacy.

### 4. the opposite

noun · CEFR B2

the exact opposite of a situation or statement.

For teachers: the contrary or opposite of something previously mentioned.

- I thought the film would be boring, but the reverse was true.
- While many expected the tax cuts to stimulate spending, the reverse occurred as households began saving more in anticipation of a recession.

### 5. a setback

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

a problem that stops progress or makes a situation worse.

For teachers: a change from good fortune to bad; a significant defeat or setback.

- The army suffered a major reverse during the winter battle.
- Despite several financial reverses early in his career, the entrepreneur eventually built a global shipping empire.

### 6. the back side

noun · CEFR B2

the back of something, like a coin or a piece of paper.

For teachers: the side of a coin, medal, or document that is considered the back.

- You can find the date the coin was made on its reverse.
- The artist signed the canvas on the reverse to avoid distracting from the delicate brushwork on the front.

### 7. opposite in direction

adjective · CEFR B1

going in the opposite direction or being the opposite of something.

For teachers: acting, moving, or facing in a manner opposite to the usual or previous one.

- The two cars were travelling in reverse directions when they passed each other.
- The gears were locked in a reverse position, preventing the machine from advancing along the assembly line.

## Examples

- I thought he was angry, but the reverse was true.
- The study expected the new law to reduce crime, but the reverse happened and rates actually increased.
- While many economists predicted a sharp decline in consumer spending following the tax hike, the reverse occurred as households dipped into savings to maintain their lifestyle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.