versus

Formsversuses, versusing, versused

1. 1
   compared withpreposition

   Used to compare two different things or choices.

   Like putting two things side by side to see which is better.

   She weighed the cost of flying versus driving to the coast.

   Think about saving money now versus spending it all today.

   UsageYou can put -ing words on each side: saving versus spending.

   Similaragainst

   Note
2. 2
   againstpreposition

   Against, used to name two sides that are competing or in a court case, as in 'Brazil versus Germany'.

   Like two teams lining up on opposite ends of a field.

   It was the home team versus the visitors in the final.

   The whole debate came down to one party versus the other.

   UsageIn writing it is often shortened to vs.

   Similaragainst

   Note
3. 3
   verbcolloquialtransitive

   A casual word meaning to play or fight against someone, as in 'we versus them on Saturday'.

   "Who do we versus in the final?" one of the kids on the soccer team asked.

   My little brother always wants to versus me in his racing game.

   UsagePut the opponent directly after versus, without against: We versus them on Saturday.

   Similarplay, face, fight

4. 4
   measured againstpreposition

   Used to show one thing being tested or measured against another.

   Like drawing a line that shows how one thing changes as another changes.

   The scientists charted temperature versus time during the experiment.

   We tracked plant growth versus the amount of sunlight.

   UsageFor a graph, usually put the thing shown on the upright axis first: growth versus sunlight.

   Similaragainst

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