What does aversion mean?
Aversion is a noun denoting a strong, settled feeling of dislike — often amounting to instinctive repulsion — toward a person, thing, activity, or idea. Unlike ordinary dislike, aversion carries a sense of active avoidance: someone with an aversion to crowds will go out of their way to steer clear of them. The word typically appears in formal and everyday writing alike, most commonly in the pattern "an aversion to" followed by whatever is disliked. It can describe both the emotional response itself ("a deep aversion to conflict") and, less often, the thing that provokes it. Related terms include "averse," its adjective counterpart. Rooted in the Latin verb "avertere," meaning to turn away, the word literally captures the impulse to turn from what repels us. Aversion is useful precisely because it names not just distaste but the powerful pull away from something we find intolerable.
nounA strong feeling of dislike, dislike so intense it produces avoidance; also the act of turning away or averting oneself from something.
- A strong feeling of dislike or repugnance toward something, leading one to avoid it.
- An object of such dislike.
- The act or state of turning away from something.
"She has a deep aversion to public speaking."
"He felt a deep aversion to dishonesty in all its forms."
"The patient developed an aversion to certain foods after chemotherapy."
Used when referring to multiple distinct dislikes or instances of avoidance.
"The questionnaire asked about her various food aversions."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of aversion
Aversion derives from the Latin verb "avertere" (to turn away), formed from "ab-" (away) + "vertere" (to turn). It entered English via French in the early 17th century. It is cognate with "averse," "avert," and shares its root with words like "diversion" and "revert."
How aversion is actually used
Formal to neutral register. Commonly followed by "to" plus a noun or gerund. Connotes more than mere dislike — implies an instinctive or deeply felt repulsion that motivates avoidance.
Easily confused with aversion
"Averse" describes feeling opposed to something (an aversion), while "adverse" describes something harmful or unfavorable acting against you (adverse weather).