French word

adversaire

Pronunciation

IPA/advɛʁsɛʁ/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)opponent

Example

Mon adversaire a beaucoup d'expérience.

My opponent has a lot of experience.

Illustration for adversaire (opponent)

More examples

Je dois affronter un adversaire coriace.

I must face a tough opponent.

Core concept

One person stands on the other side of a contest, argument, or direct clash.

Common phrases

  • un adversaire

    an opponent

  • son adversaire

    his opponent

  • affronter un adversaire

    face an opponent

Similar words

ennemi: A hostile person who seeks to cause harm.
opposant: A person who is opposed to a particular position or matter.
rival: A person striving to match or surpass another's ability or status.
concurrent: A business or professional competitor in the same field or market.

Definition in French

Personne qui fait face à quelqu'un dans un match, une compétition, un débat ou une confrontation.

Word origin

French adversaire comes from Latin adversarius, formed from ad- meaning 'toward' and versus meaning 'turned,' for someone turned toward an opponent.

Usage tips

  • Adversaire can describe a rival without implying personal hatred, so it often fits sports, games, and debates better than 'enemy.'

Other meanings

  • rivalnoun
  • enemynoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word