In short, adverse tends to be used to describe effects, conditions, and results; while averse refers to feelings and inclinations.

ADVERSE meaning: 1. having a negative or harmful effect on something: 2. having a negative or harmful effect on…. Learn more.

If it's adverse, it's working against you — like adverse weather conditions or the adverse effects of eating too much sugar. Coming from the Latin adversus meaning "turned against," adverse is …

Adverse decisions, conditions, or effects are unfavorable to you. The police said Mr. Hadfield's decision would have no adverse effect on the progress of the investigation.

Definition of adverse adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 26, 2025 · Adverse is sometimes confused with averse, though the meanings are somewhat different. Adverse most often refers to things, denoting something that is in opposition to …

Factsheet What does the word adverse mean? There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the word adverse. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.