versus

American  

[vur-suhs, -suhz] / ˈvɜr səs, -səz /

preposition

1. against (used especially to indicate an action brought by one party against another in a court of law, or to denote competing teams or players in a sports contest).

   Smith versus Jones; Army versus Navy.

2. as compared to or as one of two choices; in contrast with: v., vs.

   traveling by plane versus traveling by train.

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versus British  

/ ˈvɜːsəs /

preposition

1.  v.   vs.  (esp in a competition or lawsuit) against; in opposition to

2. as opposed to; in contrast with

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Etymology

Origin of versus

First recorded in 1400–50; Late Middle English, from Latin: literally, “towards,” i.e., “turned so as to face (something), opposite, over against,” originally past participle of vertere “to turn”; verse

Example Sentences

At times if you squinted, it really looked like the varsity versus the JV.

From The Wall Street Journal

The hunt for havens cuts across typical categorizations of “risk-on” versus “risk-off” equities, Ritholtz’s Brown said, and has even divided players within industries.

From The Wall Street Journal

Unlike shares in companies, which rise in anticipation of increased revenue, commodity prices are determined by the current supply versus demand.

From Barron's

This year, individuals can put away up to $24,500, versus a maximum of $7,500 in the Roth IRAs most state plans use.

From The Wall Street Journal

As in, the bald eagle’s dark brown body feathers versus its stark white head feathers.

From Slate