versus

[ vur-suhs, -suhz ]

preposition

1. against (used especially to indicate an action brought by one party against another in a court of law, or to denote competing teams or players in a sports contest):

   Smith versus Jones; Army versus Navy.

2. as compared to or as one of two choices; in contrast with: : v., vs.

   traveling by plane versus traveling by train.

versus

/ ˈvɜːsəs /

preposition

1. (esp in a competition or lawsuit) against; in opposition to vesp USvs
2. as opposed to; in contrast with

Word History and Origins

Origin of versus¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Late Middle English, from Latin: literally, “towards,” i.e., “turned so as to face (something), opposite, over against,” originally past participle of vertere “to turn”; verse

Word History and Origins

Origin of versus¹

C15: from Latin: turned (in the direction of), opposite, from vertere to turn

Example Sentences

This latest breakthrough, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, will allow the researchers to shape the crystals they make using silicon moulds into discs or any custom shape required depending on the application, for example, a medical device element versus a phone microphone or car sensor.

From Science Daily

“You kind of have to think about what’ll happen if you do Movie A versus Movie B and what your kids will have to go through and the torment they may be put through,” he says, adding that it’s something that he and his wife always discuss in detail.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s really just the cat versus nature, or it’s really a cat versus itself. It has to kind of overcome its fears,” Zilbalodis says.

From Los Angeles Times

But 72 percent of Blacks, versus 64 percent of whites, also said their American identity was extremely or very important to them.

From Salon

It’s much easier to do this in a daycare setting where teachers serve students at just a few tables, versus in a busy high school cafeteria where the lunch line may see thousands of students over the course of a day.

From Salon