versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs  -səz 

1

: against

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

Cayden Boozer, ranked No. 14 in the Class of 2025 by ESPN.com, No. 16 by 247sports.com and No. 20 by Rivals.com, had 12 points and nine assists Friday, then went for 10 points and four assists against Drive Nation and 17 points and three assists versus Why Not on Saturday. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2024

Both phones feature a resolution of 2,340 by 1,080 pixels, so the S24 has a slightly higher density (416 pixels per inch versus 390). —PCMAG, 25 May 2024

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

Kids Definition

versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs  -səz 

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