invert
1 of 2verb
in·vert in-ˈvərt 
inverted; inverting
transitive verb
1
a
: to reverse in position, order, or relationship
b
: to subject to inversion
2
a
: to turn inside out or upside down
b
: to turn inward
3
: to find the mathematical reciprocal of
to divide using fractions, invert the divisor and multiply
4
: to reincorporate (a company) as a new entity in a foreign country : to put (a company) through the process of inversion (see inversion sense 6)
Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress have questioned the patriotism of corporate executives who elect to invert their companies.
Stephen Ohlemacher
Stephen Ohlemacherinvert
2 of 2noun
in·vert ˈin-ˌvərt
: one characterized by inversion
Synonyms
Verb
- flip
- reverse
- turn over
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb The lens inverts the image. The number 9 looks like an inverted 6. invert the order of two words in a sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Robin Lloyd, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2022 Users can also invert the color to spot arches that are particularly faint. Wired, 3 Aug. 2022 O’Flaherty’s, a scrappy gallery in the East Village of Manhattan that’s named after a nonexistent Irish pub, sought to invert the whole notion of the summer group show. John Ortved, New York Times, 20 July 2022 Every way but critical, really, but this was a blockbuster that was happy to invert itself above the press corps and flip them the bird before cackling and soaring away. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2022 When a woman attempted to turn the tables and dominate her husband or master, however, that threatened to invert the patriarchal social order—and hence the punishment was especially harsh, including some executions. Valerie Kivelson, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2022 On another note — and this kind of thing drives me crazy — the developers didn’t include an in-game option to invert the camera. Mitch Wallace, Forbes, 28 May 2022 For those who prefer a fast-drying option, reversible umbrellas are designed to invert when folded in order to minimize water drippage. Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2022 That ability to invert expectations inspired generations of jazz composers and rockers alike who arose in his wake. Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2022 See More
Verb
The underestimation is that large as to invert reality, in that sense. Robin Lloyd, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2022 Users can also invert the color to spot arches that are particularly faint. Wired, 3 Aug. 2022 O’Flaherty’s, a scrappy gallery in the East Village of Manhattan that’s named after a nonexistent Irish pub, sought to invert the whole notion of the summer group show. John Ortved, New York Times, 20 July 2022 Every way but critical, really, but this was a blockbuster that was happy to invert itself above the press corps and flip them the bird before cackling and soaring away. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2022 When a woman attempted to turn the tables and dominate her husband or master, however, that threatened to invert the patriarchal social order—and hence the punishment was especially harsh, including some executions. Valerie Kivelson, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2022 On another note — and this kind of thing drives me crazy — the developers didn’t include an in-game option to invert the camera. Mitch Wallace, Forbes, 28 May 2022 For those who prefer a fast-drying option, reversible umbrellas are designed to invert when folded in order to minimize water drippage. Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2022 That ability to invert expectations inspired generations of jazz composers and rockers alike who arose in his wake. Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Latin invertere, from in- + vertere to turn — more at worth
First Known Use
Verb
1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1827, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing invert
Kids Definition
invert
verb
in·vert in-ˈvərt
inverted; inverting
1
: to turn inside out or upside down
Invert the bowl onto a plate.
2
: to reverse the order or position of
invert numbers
Medical Definition
invert
transitive verb
in·vert in-ˈvərt
1
a
: to reverse in position, order, or relationship
adjacent sequences of DNA and RNA that are complementary and inverted
b
: to subject to inversion
2
a
: to turn inside out or upside down
b
: to turn inward
when a foot is inverted its forepart tends to approach the midline of the body Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of the American Medical Associationintransitive verb
: to undergo inversion
a normal nipple that inverts later in life can be an ominous sign P. G. Donohue
P. G. Donohueinvert
verb
as in to flip
to change the position of (an object) so that the opposite side or end is showing if you invert the coin, there's a picture of a buffalo on the back Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- flip
- reverse
- exchange
- switch
- transpose
- shift
- interchange
- turn over
- overturn
- upset
Synonym Chooser
The words reverse and transpose are common synonyms of invert. While all three words mean "to change to the opposite position," invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out.
the number 9 looks like an inverted 6
The words reverse and invert can be used in similar contexts, but reverse is the most general term and may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning.
reversed his position on the trade agreement
While in some cases nearly identical to invert, transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position.
transposed the letters to form an anagram