averse

[ uh-vurs ]

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

averse

/ əˈvɜːs /

adjective

1. postpositiveusually foll byto opposed, disinclined, or loath
2. (of leaves, flowers, etc) turned away from the main stem Compare adverse

Confusables Note

See adverse.

Derived Forms

• aˈversely, adverb
• aˈverseness, noun

Other Words From

• a·versely adverb
• a·verseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of averse¹

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; a- ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of averse¹

C16: from Latin āversus, from āvertere to turn from, from vertere to turn

Synonym Study

See reluctant.

Example Sentences

“I’m naturally risk averse so it was a difficult decision for me,” Sherman said about the fourth-down gamble.

From Los Angeles Times

When I read up on the Bolton players, they all seemed like big, strong boys and were not averse to chucking their weight around.

From BBC

Langill is averse to displays loaded up with several baseballs, bats, caps and jerseys.

From Los Angeles Times

She is averse to public introspection, spending far more time in her memoir reciting autobiographical details than dissecting them.

From Los Angeles Times

Buzzing about crime scenes in short skirts, high boots and animal prints as if the last five decades never happened, she’s averse to authority but not to a good time.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

Averse Vs. Adverse

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.

Quiz yourself on averse vs. adverse!

Should averse or adverse be used in the following sentence?

The medication had some _____ effects.