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

The last time Baltimore lost an AL East series was versus New York in early April 2023. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2024

Shining a spotlight on the Sepp Fussball Fashion Summer 2024 launch, during Milan Men’s Fashion Week, Ebner organized a football match, Sepp versus the team of Brunello Cucinelli, a fan of the sport and a player himself, renting a stadium in the city. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 20 June 2024

Shootings incidents are down 8% in 2024 year-to-date versus last year. —Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 20 June 2024

There are times when casting spinners, spoons, crankbaits, and jigs from a boat is the best way to put ‘eyes in the cooler versus trolling or vertical jigging. —M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 20 June 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