averse
gb/əvˈɚs/ us/əvˈɚs/
B2
English
~ 9400
idegenkedik valamitől, ellenez
B2
FORMAL
1
ellenez
B2
Usage pattern:
to be averse to [something]
She is averse to taking on more debt at this stage of the project.
A projektnek ebben a szakaszában idegenkedik attól, hogy még több adósságot vállaljon.
Many voters are deeply averse to any increase in taxes.
Sok választó határozottan ellenzi az adók bármiféle emelését.
I’m not averse to working late if the deadline is important.
As an introvert, he is averse to large social gatherings.
The company is traditionally averse to rapid change.
Learner examples
He is averse to smoking in the house.
Ellenzi a házban való dohányzást.
My parents are averse to the idea of me moving abroad.
A szüleim idegenkednek attól a gondolattól, hogy külföldre költözzem.
I am not averse to trying new food.
She is averse to driving at night.
They are averse to risk and prefer safe plans.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "averse" with "adverse". "Averse" describes a person’s feeling (She is averse to violence), while "adverse" describes things that are harmful or negative (adverse effects, adverse weather). Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: it is always "averse to", not *"averse of" or *"averse from". Also, "averse" is not used directly before a noun (*"an averse person" is unusual); instead use "be averse to [noun/verb-ing]".
Meaning
strongly opposed or unwilling
Collocations
be averse to
|not averse to
|risk-averse
|change-averse
|conflict-averse
Synonyms
opposed (Stresses active disagreement or resistance, while "averse" also suggests strong personal dislike.)
|
reluctant (Implies not wanting to do something, but "averse" is usually stronger and more formal.)
|
disinclined (Very close in meaning; also formal, but often slightly weaker than "averse.")
|
against (More general and informal; "averse" sounds more careful and personal.)
Antonyms
keen (Shows strong interest or desire, opposite to the dislike in "averse.")
|
eager (Emphasizes very strong willingness and enthusiasm, the reverse of being averse.)
|
in favor of (Expresses support or approval, opposite to personal opposition in "averse.")
Themes
emotions
|attitude
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not liking something and not wanting to do it or have it.
Having a strong dislike of, or opposition to, something and therefore not wanting to do or accept it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
averse
IPA
GB/əvˈɚs/
US/əvˈɚs/
Syllables & stress
averse (1 syllable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: averse
Word family
Expressions
not averse to
1/nˈɑt əvˈɚs tə/
fixed phrase
quite willing or happy to do
To be fairly happy to do or have something, often more than people might expect.
Examples
- I’m not averse to a glass of wine in the evening.
- She says she’s shy, but she’s not averse to being in the spotlight when it suits her.
- They are not averse to taking a few risks if the reward is high.
risk-averse
1/ɹˈɪsk əvˈɚs/
fixed phrase
disliking or avoiding risk
Not liking risk and trying to avoid risky choices.
Examples
- Older investors tend to be more risk-averse than younger ones.
- Because the company is highly risk-averse, it prefers steady but slow growth.
- Her risk-averse nature makes her very careful with money.