inverse

/ˌɪnˈvɜːs/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪnvˈɚs] /ˌɪnˈvɜːrs/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɪnvˈɚs] /(ˌ)in-ˈvərs How to pronounce inverse (audio) ˈin-ˌvərs/ (ame, mw) · /ɪnˈvɜːs/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪnvˈɚs] /ɪnˈvɝːs/ (ame, ipa)

inverse — adjective

  • inversepositive
  • more inversecomparative
  • most inversesuperlative

1. describing two things whose direction, order, amount, or effect goes the other w

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing two things whose direction, order, amount, or effect goes the other way from each other.

例句

Dylan noticed an inverse relationship between screen time and his sleep.

collocation: inverse relationship

At the card table, Obi laid the numbers in inverse order.

collocation: inverse order

同義詞
  • opposite

    the everyday choice for things that face or differ from each other, without the formal relationship idea

  • reverse

    often focuses on order, movement, or direction rather than a broader relationship

  • contrary

    more abstract and often used in arguments, rules, or statements

反義詞
  • direct

    especially for a relationship where two things move in the same direction

  • matching

    for things that agree or align instead of going the other way

文法句型

inverse + relationship/order/pattern/direction

be inverse to + noun

用法筆記

Common in formal or academic writing, especially with words such as relationship, proportion, order, pattern, and direction. For ordinary everyday contrasts such as two houses, shoes, or opinions, opposite is usually the more natural choice.

常見錯誤

❌Their socks are inverse.
✅Their socks are opposite colors.
💡inverse is mostly used for relations, order, direction, or patterns, not simple everyday contrasts.
❌The chart shows an inverse of sales and price.
✅The chart shows an inverse relationship between sales and price.
💡as an adjective, inverse normally modifies a noun such as relationship or pattern.

inverse — noun