French Conversation · Level 132
30 words
French word
inverse
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛ̃vɛʁs/
Meaning
- masculine nounopposite
Example
C'est tout l'inverse.
It's exactly the opposite.
More examples
À l'inverse de ce qu'on croit, il avait raison.
Contrary to what people think, he was right.
Core concept
A complete reversal in which a direction, arrangement, or idea changes to its opposing counterpart.
Common phrases
tout l'inverse
the complete opposite
à l'inverse de
contrary to
Similar words
contraire: A matter or idea expressing the opposite meaning.
opposé: A position or direction oriented toward another.
contradiction: A conflict between two claims or facts that cannot both be valid.
Definition in French
Désigne ce qui constitue l'opposé d'une chose, utilisé pour marquer une inversion logique, spatiale ou de sens.
Word origin
The French noun inverse developed from Latin inversus, meaning turned around or reversed, from the verb invertere, based on vertere, to turn.
Usage tips
- À l'inverse means conversely or by contrast, while envers refers to a reverse side or a stance toward someone and is not interchangeable with inverse.
Other meanings
- reversenoun
Opposites
- contraireoppositenoun
Related words
- inverserreverseverb
- inversionreversalnoun
- inversementconverselyadverb