aversion

/əˈvɜːrʒən/
strong dislike

She has a deep aversion to spicy food.

She strongly dislikes spicy food.


formal

A strong feeling of dislike or opposition toward something.

Many people have an aversion to public speaking.

Many people strongly dislike speaking in public.

His aversion to risk made him avoid investing in stocks.

He avoided investing in stocks because he strongly dislikes risk.

Often used in formal or psychological contexts to describe an intense, often irrational dislike.

Collocations

have an aversion tostrongly dislikeovercome one's aversionget past a strong dislikeaversion therapya treatment to reduce unwanted behaviors by associating them with unpleasant stimuli

Pro Tip

Avoid confusion with 'version'

Aversion is not related to 'version' (a form or variant). Remember: aversion = aversion (strong dislike), version = version (variant).

Gold Rule

Use 'aversion' for strong, often irrational dislike

Aversion suggests a deeper, more instinctive dislike than 'dislike' or 'distaste'. It is often used in formal or psychological contexts.

Word Origin

From Latin *aversio(n-)*, from *avertĕre* (to turn away), from *ab-* (away) + *vertere* (to turn).

Usage Notes

Aversion implies a stronger, more instinctive dislike than 'dislike' and is often used in formal or psychological contexts. It can describe both personal preferences and medical/behavioral conditions.

Word Breakdown

a-
from Latin *ab-* (away)
prefix
+
-vers-
from Latin *vertere* (to turn)
root
+
-ion
forms nouns of action or state
suffix
English Dictionary