Vice Versa Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on September 9, 2024 by Liam Daniel

The phrase vice versa might be heard regularly during English conversation. If you have ever heard the phrase being used, you may have mused over its meaning. This reference will cover the meaning of this phrase and how it might be used within a sentence.

You will also learn where the saying came from and discover other ways to say “vice versa.” Examples will be provided to help you see how it is applied in everyday language.

Vice Versa Meaning and Origin

  • “Vice versa” means that the reverse of what was just said is also true.
Vice Versa Meaning
Vice Versa Meaning – Created by 7ESL

What Does “Vice Versa” Mean?

“Vice versa” is a Latin phrase used in English to mean “the other way around” or “with the order reversed.” It indicates that the opposite or reverse of a statement is also true.

For example:

  • “She likes him, and vice versa“ means “She likes him, and he likes her.”
  • “You can contact me if you need help, and vice versa“ means “You can contact me if you need help, and I can contact you if I need help.”

Origin of this Phrase

The term “vice versa” originates from Latin. It is composed of two Latin words:

  1. “Vice” – This is the ablative case of “vicis,” meaning “in place of” or “alternately.”
  2. “Versa” – This comes from the Latin verb “vertere,” meaning “to turn” or “to change.”

Together, “vice versa” translates roughly to “the position being turned,” which conveys the idea of switching the order or reversing a situation. The phrase has been used in English since at least the 16th century and retains its original Latin meaning, indicating that the reverse or opposite is equally true.

Related Terms to Vice Versa

Here are terms closely related to “vice versa”:

  1. The other way around: A direct English equivalent of “vice versa.” It is used to indicate that a statement is true in the reverse order. For example, “She teaches him, and the other way around” means both teach each other.
  2. Alternatively: Suggests a choice or option that is different from what has been mentioned, which can be seen as the reverse or opposite. For example, “You can start with option A, or alternatively, you can choose option B.”
  3. Conversely: Used to introduce an idea that is the opposite or a different aspect of what has been mentioned. For example, “He didn’t believe her story; conversely, she didn’t trust his explanation.”

Other Ways to Say the Term

You are likely to hear the term vice versa being referred to by using other words.

Let’s take a look at some examples of how this might look.

  • The other way around
  • Back to front
  • On the contrary
  • In contrast
  • The opposite way

“Vice Versa” Examples

Example Sentences

You are likely to hear the term vice versa being used quite often within a sentence, but what does this sound like? Here we will look at some examples of this.

This first statement is being made by a policeman.

  • We explained to the victim that they should keep in touch with us if they had any more information and vice versa.

The next sentence is one which is being said by a mother to her son.

  • If you wipe the dishes and your sister cleans the plates or vice versa, that would be a great help.

Conversation Examples

If you are curious to see how the phrase vice versa might be used in a conversation, you can do this by taking a look at the following examples of conversations in which the term might be said.

The first conversation is taking place between a boss and an employee.

  • Person 1; “Could you take a look at these emails please?”
  • Person 2; “Yes of course, what do you need to know about them?”
  • Person 1; “Just who sent them, read the top one first and then the rest or vice versa. It will make sense both ways.”

This second conversation is happening between two friends.

  • Person 1; “We are going out this weekend aren’t we?”
  • Person 2; “Yes, to the shops and then to the bar or vice versa.”

Other examples:

  • You can cruise from Cairo to Aswan or vice versa.
  • War is the continuity of policies during peacetime, and vice versa.
  • Teachers qualified to teach in England are not accepted in Scotland and vice versa.
  • We could go from pitch black to brightness in the blink of an eye-and vice versa.
  • If a project is going to generate high income, then the capital grant will be smaller, and vice versa.
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