English vocabulary · B2
Averse
/əˈvɜrs/ · adj.
If you are averse to something, you do not like it and want to stay away. You feel this way even before you try it.
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Example sentences
- She stayed averse to risks.
- An old fear left him averse to swimming.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- a — away (from Latin)
- verse — turn (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- RELUCTANT — slow or unwilling to do something (Hesitant To Act)
- OPPOSED — firmly against an idea (Strongly Against)
- UNWILLING — not willing to do something (Simply Refuses)
Words with the same root
verse — turn
- convert — change into a different form
- reverse — go or turn the opposite way
- diverse — very different from each other
Lesson notes
If you are averse to something, you do not like it and want to stay away. You feel this way even before you try it.
Related: reluctant, opposed, unwilling. Use averse when you dislike something new.
She stayed averse to risks. An old fear left him averse to swimming.
From Latin. A- means away. Verse- means turn. Turning away from what you dislike — that is averse.