vis

[ wees; English vis ]

/ wis; English vɪs /

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See synonyms for vis on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural vi·res

[wee-reys; English vahy-reez]. /ˈwi reɪs; English ˈvaɪ riz/. Latin.

strength; force; power.

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Other definitions for vis (2 of 3)

vis.

abbreviation

visibility.

visual.

Other definitions for vis (3 of 3)

Vis.

abbreviation

Viscount.

Viscountess.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vis in a sentence

A French wizard discovers his newfound sexuality vis-à-vis a magic wand that happens to be attached to him.
‘Henri Potter and Le Sorcerer’s Bone’ and More Kids Books France Hates|Bill Schulz|March 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Vis-a-vis writing, Exeter was the place I got interested in writing.
Chang-rae Lee: How I Write|Noah Charney|January 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But, to my eyes, that letter says everything about where Clinton stands vis a vis the rest of the Democratic Party.
There’s Absolutely No Chance Elizabeth Warren Beats Hillary Clinton|Jamelle Bouie|November 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Not only on the diplomatic level— i.e., vis-a-vis Europe or Israel, but also within Palestinian society.
Losing Jerusalem Sewage Plant Could Prove Longer Term Win for Palestinians|Hillel Cohen|September 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST

He defended a “resistance economy” vis-à-vis the West and the U.S.
Hasan Rowhani: Moderate Candidate Wins Iran’s Election|Omid Memarian|June 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Je vis M. le Baron d'Holbach environn d'une vieille femme et de deux villageois, l'un vieux comme elle et l'autre jeune.
Baron d'Holbach|Max Pearson Cushing
The controversy of the vis viva was what was the proper definition of the measure of force.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill
In the debate of the vis viva, it was assumed that in the mutual action of bodies the whole effect of the force is unchanged.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill
But in this instance, that which the author calls in another passage of his work, the vis Lucilii, fell upon the hard rock.
Ancient Faiths And Modern|Thomas Inman
My fair vis-a-vis looked me now full in the face and smiled, so that a dimple in her right cheek was plainly visible.
The Way of a Man|Emerson Hough

British Dictionary definitions for vis (1 of 2)

vis

/ Latin (vɪs) /

noun plural vires (ˈvaɪriːz)

power, force, or strength

British Dictionary definitions for vis (2 of 2)

Vis.

abbreviation for

Viscount or Viscountess

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012