# adverse

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈæd.və(ɹ)s/ · frequency rank #8,382

## Definitions
1. Unfavorable; antagonistic in purpose or effect; hostile; actively opposing one's interests or wishes; contrary to one's welfare; acting against; working in an opposing direction.
2. Opposed; contrary; opposing one's interests or desire.
3. Opposite; confronting.

## Etymology
First attested around 1374, from Old French avers (French adverse), from Latin adversus (“turned against”), past participle of advertere, from ad- (“to”) + vertere (“to turn”). See also versus.

## Easily confused with
- **advise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/adverse-vs-advise)
- **advert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/adverse-vs-advert)
- **averse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/adverse-vs-averse)
- **advertise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/adverse-vs-advertise)
- **adversely** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/adverse-vs-adversely)
- **adhere** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/adhere-vs-adverse)
- **adverb** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/adverb-vs-adverse)

## Common misspellings (10)
`addverse`, `adevrse`, `adveres`, `adverrse`, `adversse`, `advesre`, `advrese`, `advverse`, `avderse`, `daverse`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/adverse