conversely

UK: /ˈkɒnvɜː^rsli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•verse¹ /kənˈvɜrs/   v. [no object* often: ~ + with + object] , -versed, -vers•ing. 

1. to engage in conversation:
   They were seen conversing for a few minutes and then leaving together.

See -vert-.
con•verse² /adj. kənˈvɜrs, ˈkɑnvɜrs; n. ˈkɑnvɜrs/   adj. [before a noun]

1. opposite or contrary in direction, action, sequence, etc.;
   turned around:
   They hold converse views on the matter of abortion.

n. [countable* singular;
often: the + ~]

2. something opposite or contrary:
   You say we'll win but I believe the converse is true.

con•verse•ly, adv. See -vert-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

con•verse¹  (v. kən vûrs′;n. kon′vûrs), v., -versed, -vers•ing, n. 
v.i. 

1. to talk informally with another or others;
   exchange views, opinions, etc., by talking.
2. [Archaic.] to maintain a familiar association (usually fol. by with).
3. [Obs.] to have sexual intercourse (usually fol. by with).

n. 

4. familiar discourse or talk;
   conversation.

• Latin conversārī to associate with. See con-, verse
• Middle French converser
• Middle English conversen 1300–50

con•vers′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. chat, discuss. See speak. 

con•verse²  (adj. kən vûrs′, kon′vûrs;n. kon′vûrs), adj. 

1. opposite or contrary in direction, action, sequence, etc.;
   turned around.

n. 

2. something opposite or contrary.
3. Philosophy [Logic.]
   • a proposition obtained from another proposition by conversion.
   • the relation between two terms, one of which is related to the other in a given manner, as "younger than'' to "older than.''
4. Linguistics a group of words correlative with a preceding group but having a significant pair of terms interchanged, as "hot in winter but cold in summer'' and "cold in winter but hot in summer.''

• Latin conversus past participle of convertere to turn around, equivalent. to con- con- + vert- turn + -tus past participle suffix; see convert
• Anglo-French)
• Middle English convers (1350–1400

con•verse•ly  (kən vûrs′lē, kon′vûrs-), adv. 
Con•verse  (kon′vûrs), n. 

Frederick Shep•herd  (shep′ərd), 1871–1940, U.S. composer.