What Does Vice Versa Mean? | Definition & Examples
Vice versa is a Latin phrase that we use in English as an adverb meaning “conversely” or “the other way around.”
The literal translation is “the position having been reversed,” and that is still what it means. For example, “Girls perform better in some subjects than boys, and vice versa” means that boys also perform better than girls in some subjects.
I miss spending time with my family, and vice versa.
All squares are rectangles, but not vice versa.
The big question with a cream tea is jam first, then clotted cream, or vice versa?
Although vice versa comes from Latin, it has been used in English for so long that it does not need italics, much like “ad nauseam” and “mea culpa.” It does not take a hyphen, and there is a common misspelling “vice a versa,” which is always incorrect.
Table of contents
Vice versa or visa versa
Sometimes, vice versa is pronounced [vice-uh-vur-suh], which leads people to misspell it as “visa versa.” However, the only correct way of spelling it is vice versa.
- Established colleagues should respect new staff, and visa versa.
- Established colleagues should respect new staff, and vice versa.
Frequently asked questions about vice versa
- How do I pronounce vice versa?
-
Vice versa can be pronounced it two different ways:
- The most common is with three syllables, with the emphasis on the first and second syllables: [vice-vur-suh].
- Sometimes it is pronounced with four syllables, with the emphasis on the first and third syllables: [vice-uh-vur-suh].
Both are acceptable pronunciations, but only “vice versa” is the correct spelling.
- Is it vice versa or vice a versa?
-
The only correct spelling is vice versa. Although it can be pronounced [vice-uh-ver-suh] or [vice-ver-suh], it can only be spelled the one way.
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help make sure you use the correct spelling.
- What is a synonym for vice versa?
-
Some synonyms or near-synonyms for vice versa include:
- Conversely
- The other way around
- Inversely
- Contrarily
- Contrariwise
QuillBot’s rewording tool can help you vary your written vocabulary.
