vis-à-vis
UK /viːz.ɑːˈviː/ · US /viz.ɑˈvi/ preposition, noun, adjective, adverb
- preposition In relation to; compared with. “Canada's role vis-à-vis the United States' in Afghanistan”
- preposition Opposite; across from; set so as to be facing. “He was seated vis-à-vis the president.”
- noun (historical) A small horse-drawn carriage for two people sitting facing each other.
- noun A sofa with seats for two people, so arranged that the occupants are face to face while sitting on opposite sides.
- noun One of two (or more) people facing or opposite each other.
- noun A date or escort in a social event.
- noun A person holding a corresponding position in another organisation. “I talked with my vis-à-vis in the French embassy.”
- adjective Face-to-face.
- adjective (numismatics, of a coin) Having two portraits facing each other.
- adverb Face to face (with another).
- adverb (archaic) In a position facing a specified or implied subject.
Synonyms
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French vis-à-vis.
Webster’s 1913
- noun One who, or that which, is face to face with another; esp., one who faces another in dancing.
- noun A carriage in which two persons sit face to face. Also, a form of sofa with seats for two persons, so arranged that the occupants are face to face while sitting on opposite sides.
- adverb Face to face.
Etymology [F., opposite, face to face.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “vis-à-vis”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details