averse

Everyday

1. Not liking something or strongly against it: «averse to» something. tree →
2. «Not averse to» means quite happy to (a polite, slightly joking way to say you like it). tree →

In the lessons

Used in formal talk and writing: «risk-averse» people avoid risks. Phrases: «averse to», «not averse to», «risk-averse».

Examples

• He's averse to getting up early. tree →
• I'm not averse to a second slice of cake! tree →
• The cat is averse to water. tree →
• Some people are risk-averse with money. tree →
• She was averse to the idea of camping. tree →
• Grandpa isn't averse to a joke. tree →
• Sigurd was not averse to this, and asked his father where he thought it best to look for a wife. tree →

Note

Trap: «averse» (disliking) vs «adverse» (harmful, bad: «adverse weather»). Used after verbs: «He is averse to…».