ɪnˈvɝs ɪnˈvɝs ˈɒpəzɪt ˈɑp(ə)sɪt ɹɪˈvɜːs ɹɪˈvɝs reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect opposite in nature or effect or relation to another quantity a term is in inverse proportion to another term if it increases (or decreases) as the other decreases (or increases) something inverted in sequence or character or effect when the direct approach failed, he tried the inverse