Adverse: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Adverse adjective. Harmful or unfavourable.
How to say it
AD-vurss/ˈadvəːs/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (AD).
Adverse in a sentence
Adverse weather closed the motorway for six hours.
Report any adverse reactions to your pharmacist.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- harmful
- unfavourable
- hostile
- negative
Opposite:
- favourable
- beneficial
Usage note
Adverse describes things (adverse conditions); averse describes how people feel (I'm not averse to cake). Conditions are adverse; people are averse.
Don’t confuse with averse
averse (adjective): Strongly disliking something or unwilling to do it.
Where adverse comes from
From Latin adversus, turned against.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Report any _____ reactions to your pharmacist.
- eminent
- discrete
- adverse
Show the answer
adverse: Report any adverse reactions to your pharmacist.