averse

American  

[uh-vurs] / əˈvɜrs /

adjective

1. having a strong feeling of opposition, antipathy, repugnance, etc.; opposed (often used in combination): Young Americans are more debt-averse than older generations.

   He is not averse to having a drink now and then.

   Young Americans are more debt-averse than older generations.

   Synonyms:

   loath, unwilling

   Antonyms:

   eager, inclined

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averse British  

/ əˈvɜːs /

adjective

1. opposed, disinclined, or loath

2. (of leaves, flowers, etc) turned away from the main stem Compare adverse

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Usage

What's the difference between averse and adverse? Averse means strongly opposed to or having a feeling of strong dislike toward something, as in I’m extremely averse to taking on debt. Adverse most commonly means unfavorable or hostile, as in adverse conditions, adverse weather, or adverse criticism. Averse is often used in negative constructions, as in We are not averse to negotiations. It’s also used in the term risk-averse, meaning reluctant to take risks or tending to avoid risk. Confusion can arise between the two terms because both are adjectives that involve unfavorableness or opposition. However, averse typically describes the way someone feels toward something, while adverse typically describes circumstances. One way to remember which word is which is to remember that adverse, in a very general sense, means bad, which rhymes with the first part of the word. On the other hand, when you’re averse to something, you have a very strong opposition to it. It may also be helpful to remember that the noun form of averse is aversion, meaning a strong feeling of dislike or opposition. The noun form of adverse is adversity, which means hostile or unfavorable conditions. Here’s an example of adverse and averse used correctly in a sentence. Example: I’m not averse to taking risks for the sake of adventure, but I just don’t think it’s safe to skydive in such adverse weather. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between averse and adverse.

Commonly Confused

See adverse.

Related Words

See reluctant.

Other Word Forms

• aversely
  adverb
• averseness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of averse

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin āversus “turned away, averted” (past participle of āvertere ), equivalent to ā-, prefix and preposition + vert- “turn” + -tus past participle suffix; see a- ⁴

Explanation

To be averse to something is to be opposed to it on moral, philosophical or aesthetic grounds: my father is averse to people wearing shoes in the house, but he would not be averse to people wearing house slippers. Averse comes from a Latin word, aversus, which means "turned away from." To be averse to something is to shun it, turn away from it, or dislike it. Some people are averse to the use of cilantro in any food that comes near them, some others are averse to wearing itchy wool sweaters, and others are averse to any form of exercise. Aversions are really very personal.

Example Sentences

I’ve long been averse to the world of parenting advice.

From Slate • May 10, 2026

For those who are risk averse, Dywer says she often recommends a balanced portfolio of 50% stocks and 50% bonds, which has historically produced a terrific trade-off between long-term returns and shorter-term volatility.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

The National Residential Landlords Association says it does not believe there will be an "exodus", but that some landlords may be more risk averse about who they rent to.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Choi isn’t averse to shtick, if the result is an explosion of audience laughter.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

In practice, wrote colonial leader Roger Williams, "they will not conclude of ought. . . unto which the people are averse."

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• allergic
• antagonistic
• hesitant
• hostile
• loath
• reluctant
• unwilling