reverse

Reverse means to go backward, or to turn inside out or to the correct side.

(verb)

An example of to reverse is to back a car out of the driveway.
An example of to reverse is to switch a sign so that it is facing the right way.

Reverse is defined as the opposite or the opposing side of something.

(noun)

An example of reverse is pro life to pro choice.

See reverse in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

1. turned backward; opposite or contrary, as in position, direction, order, etc.
2. with the back showing or in view
reversing the usual effect so as to show white letters, etc. on a black background
acting or moving in a way or direction opposite or contrary to the usual
causing movement backward or in the opposite direction: reverse gear

Origin: ME revers < OFr < L reversus, pp. of revertere: see revert

noun

the opposite or contrary of something
the back or rear of something; specif., the side, as of a coin or medal, that does not have the main design
the act or an instance of reversing; change to the opposite
a change from good fortune to bad; defeat, check, or misfortune
a mechanism, etc. for reversing, as a gear arrangement in a transmission that causes a machine, motor vehicle, etc. to run backward or in the opposite direction
a reversing movement
☆ Football a type of play in which a ball carrier running toward a sideline gives the ball to a teammate going the opposite way

transitive verb reversed, reversing

to turn backward, in an opposite position or direction, upside down, or inside out
to change to the opposite; alter completely
to cause to go or move backward or in an opposite direction
to exchange or transpose
to transfer (the charges for a telephone call) to the party being called
Law to revoke or annul (a decision, judgment, etc.)

intransitive verb

Related Forms:

See reverse in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

a. Turned backward in position, direction, or order.
b. Having the back showing or in view of the observer.
Moving, acting, or organized in a manner contrary to the usual.
Causing backward movement: a reverse gear.
Printing Printed in such a way that the normally colored part appears white against a colored or black background.

noun

The opposite or contrary: All along we thought Sue was older than Bill, but just the reverse was true.
a. The back or rear part.
b. The side of a coin or medal that does not carry the principal design; the verso.
A change to an opposite position, condition, or direction.
A change in fortune from better to worse; a setback: suffered financial reverses.
a. A mechanism, such as a gear in a motor vehicle, that is used to reverse movement.
b. The position or operating condition of such a mechanism.
c. Movement in an opposite direction.
Football An offensive play in which a back running in one direction executes a handoff to a back running in the opposite direction.

verb re·versed, re·vers·ing, re·vers·es

verb, transitive

To turn around to the opposite direction.
To turn inside out or upside down.
To exchange the positions of; transpose.
Law To revoke or annul (a decision or decree, for example).
a. To cause to adopt a contrary viewpoint.
b. To change to the opposite: reversed their planned course of action.
To cause (an engine or a mechanism) to function in reverse.

verb, intransitive