Rewind vs. Reverse — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 24, 2024
Rewind refers specifically to the act of moving media backwards, usually to an earlier point, while reverse can mean to go backwards or turn something around in various contexts.
Difference Between Rewind and Reverse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rewind is commonly used in the context of media, such as rewinding a film or video to watch a previous section again. Whereas, reverse applies more broadly to any movement or action taken in the opposite direction to the original or forward action.
Rewind often implies a temporary action, intended to return to a specific part of media for re-examination or re-watching. On the other hand, reverse can signify a permanent change in direction, such as reversing the direction of a motor or a vehicle.
Rewind is mostly associated with audio and video recordings and does not typically apply to live scenarios. While reverse can be used in both static and dynamic contexts, like reversing a decision or physically reversing a car.
Rewind suggests a return to something that has previously occurred, often used metaphorically to mean going back to an earlier state or time. In contrast, reverse can also mean to invert or flip something, such as reversing the order of a list or the orientation of an image.
Rewind captures the nostalgia or the functionality of revisiting past moments, specifically within a set sequence. Whereas hilarious encompasses a broader spectrum of operations, including technological functions like reversing an algorithm’s effect.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Context
Media (audio, video)
General (movement, decisions, operations)
Implication
Temporal return to a previous point
Change of direction or order
Application
Specific to previously recorded or presented sequences
Broad, applicable in various physical and abstract contexts
Association
Nostalgic, functional
Broader, includes physical and conceptual reversals
Usage
Less frequent in the digital streaming age
Common in everyday language and technology
Compare with Definitions
Rewind
To move media backwards.
He rewound the video to catch the details he missed.
Reverse
Broad application in both technology and daily life.
The engineer found a way to reverse the machine's malfunction.
Rewind
To reverse the progress of something like a video or music track.
Rewind to the part where the actor enters.
Reverse
To change to a contrary position or direction.
Reverse the order of the list for a descending sort.
Rewind
To return to a previous state or condition metaphorically.
She wished she could rewind time and prevent the mistake.
Reverse
To annul or revoke a decision or process.
The court reversed the previous ruling.
Rewind
Referring specifically to the act of reversing media.
The VCR's rewind button was worn out from use.
Reverse
To invert an object’s orientation.
Reverse the image for the mirror effect in the presentation.
Rewind
To go back to an earlier point in a recording.
Please rewind the tape so we can hear that song again.
Reverse
To go in the opposite direction.
He put the car in reverse and backed into the parking spot.
Rewind
To wind again or anew
Rewound the thread on the spool.
Reverse
Turned backward in position, direction, or order
The reverse side of the poster.
Rewind
To reverse the winding of (audiotape, videotape, or film).
Reverse
Moving, acting, or organized in a manner contrary to the usual
In reverse order.
Rewind
To reverse the playing of (an audio or video recording).
Reverse
Causing backward movement
A reverse gear.
Rewind
To rewind an audiotape or other linear recording.
Reverse
(Printing) Printed in such a way that the normally colored part appears white against a colored or black background.
Rewind
To be rewound
Let the tape rewind to the beginning.
Reverse
The opposite or contrary
All along we thought Sue was older than Bill, but just the reverse was true.
Rewind
To return to an earlier time or stage in a sequence of events.
Reverse
The back or rear part
The reverse of the flyer.
Rewind
The act or process of rewinding or being rewound.
Reverse
The side of a coin or medal that does not carry the principal design; the verso.
Rewind
A control mechanism for rewinding tape or film, for example.
Reverse
A change to an opposite position, condition, or direction.
Rewind
To wind (something) again.
Reverse
A change in fortune from better to worse; a setback
Suffered financial reverses.
Rewind
To wind (something) back, now especially of cassette or video tape, CD, DVD etc.; to go back on a video or audio recording.
Reverse
A mechanism, such as a gear in a motor vehicle, that is used to reverse movement.
Rewind
(figurative) To go back or think back to a previous moment or place, or a previous point in a discourse.
Reverse
The position or operating condition of such a mechanism.
Rewind
The act of rewinding.
Reverse
Movement in an opposite direction.
Rewind
A button or other mechanism for rewinding.
Reverse
(Football) An offensive play in which a ball carrier running in one direction executes a handoff to a player running in the opposite direction.
Reverse
To turn around to the opposite direction
The wind reversed the weather vane.
Reverse
To turn inside out or upside down
Reverse a jacket.
Reverse
To exchange the positions of; transpose
Reversed the people on stage.
Reverse
(Law) To change or set aside (a lower court's decision).
Reverse
To cause to adopt a contrary viewpoint
Reversed himself during the campaign.
Reverse
To change to the opposite
Reversed their planned course of action.
Reverse
To cause (an engine or mechanism) to function in reverse.
Reverse
To direct that (a charge) apply to the person receiving instead of making a telephone call.
Reverse
To turn or move in the opposite direction.
Reverse
To reverse the action of an engine.
Reverse
Opposite, contrary; going in the opposite direction.
We ate the meal in reverse order, starting with dessert and ending with the starter.
The mirror showed us a reverse view of the scene.
Reverse
Pertaining to engines, vehicle movement etc. moving in a direction opposite to the usual direction.
He selected reverse gear.
Reverse
To be in the non-default position; to be set for the lesser-used route.
Reverse
Turned upside down; greatly disturbed.
Reverse
(botany) Reversed.
A reverse shell
Reverse
(genetics) In which cDNA synthetization is obtained from an RNA template.
Reverse
In a reverse way or direction; in reverse; upside-down.
Reverse
The opposite of something.
We believed the Chinese weren't ready for us. In fact, the reverse was true.
Reverse
The act of going backwards; a reversal.
Reverse
A piece of misfortune; a setback.
Reverse
The tails side of a coin, or the side of a medal or badge that is opposite the obverse.
Reverse
The side of something facing away from a viewer, or from what is considered the front; the other side.
Reverse
The gear setting of an automobile that makes it travel backwards.
Reverse
A thrust in fencing made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke.
Reverse
(surgery) A turn or fold made in bandaging, by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
Reverse
(transitive) To turn something around so that it faces the opposite direction or runs in the opposite sequence.
To reverse the order of books on a shelf
To reverse a portion of video footage
Reverse
(transitive) To turn something inside out or upside down.
Reverse
(transitive) To transpose the positions of two things.
Reverse
(transitive) To change totally; to alter to the opposite.
All trends reverse eventually.
Reverse
To return, come back.
Reverse
To turn away; to cause to depart.
Reverse
To cause to return; to recall.
Reverse
(legal) To revoke a law, or to change a decision into its opposite.
To reverse a judgment, sentence, or decree
Reverse
To cause a mechanism to operate or move in the opposite direction to normal; to drive a vehicle in the direction the driver has the back.
Reverse
(chemistry) To change the direction of a reaction such that the products become the reactants and vice-versa.
Reverse
To place (a set of points) in the reverse position.
Reverse
To move from the normal position to the reverse position.
Reverse
To engage reverse thrust on (an engine).
Reverse
To overthrow; to subvert.
Reverse
(computing) reverse-engineer
Reverse
Turned backward; having a contrary or opposite direction; hence; opposite or contrary in kind; as, the reverse order or method.
Reverse
Turned upside down; greatly disturbed.
He found the sea diverseWith many a windy storm reverse.
Reverse
Reversed; as, a reverse shell.
Reverse
That which appears or is presented when anything, as a lance, a line, a course of conduct, etc., is reverted or turned contrary to its natural direction.
He did so with the reverse of the lance.
Reverse
That which is directly opposite or contrary to something else; a contrary; an opposite.
And then mistook reverse of wrong for right.
To make everything the reverse of what they have seen, is quite as easy as to destroy.
Reverse
The act of reversing; complete change; reversal; hence, total change in circumstances or character; especially, a change from better to worse; misfortune; a check or defeat; as, the enemy met with a reverse.
The strange reverse of fate you see;I pitied you, now you may pity me.
By a reverse of fortune, Stephen becomes rich.
Reverse
The back side; as, the reverse of a drum or trench; the reverse of a medal or coin, that is, the side opposite to the obverse. See Obverse.
Reverse
A thrust in fencing made with a backward turn of the hand; a backhanded stroke.
Reverse
A turn or fold made in bandaging, by which the direction of the bandage is changed.
Reverse
To turn back; to cause to face in a contrary direction; to cause to depart.
And that old dame said many an idle verse,Out of her daughter's heart fond fancies to reverse.
Reverse
To cause to return; to recall.
And to his fresh remembrance did reverseThe ugly view of his deformed crimes.
Reverse
To change totally; to alter to the opposite.
Reverse the doom of death.
She reversed the conduct of the celebrated vicar of Bray.
Reverse
To turn upside down; to invert.
A pyramid reversed may stand upon his point if balanced by admirable skill.
Reverse
Hence, to overthrow; to subvert.
These can divide, and these reverse, the state.
Custom . . . reverses even the distinctions of good and evil.
Reverse
To overthrow by a contrary decision; to make void; to under or annual for error; as, to reverse a judgment, sentence, or decree.
Reverse
To return; to revert.
Reverse
To become or be reversed.
Reverse
A relation of direct opposition;
We thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true
Reverse
The gears by which the motion of a machine can be reversed
Reverse
An unfortunate happening that hinders of impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
Reverse
The side of a coin or medal that does not bear the principal design
Reverse
(American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction
Reverse
Turning in the opposite direction
Reverse
Change to the contrary;
The trend was reversed
The tides turned against him
Public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern
Reverse
Turn inside out or upside down
Reverse
Rule against;
The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill
Reverse
Annul by recalling or rescinding;
He revoked the ban on smoking
Lift an embargo
Vacate a death sentence
Reverse
Directed or moving toward the rear;
A rearward glance
A rearward movement
Reverse
Reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect
Reverse
Of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle;
In reverse gear
Common Curiosities
Can you rewind live television?
Yes, with digital DVR technology, even live TV can be rewound.
Is reversing a car the same as driving forward?
No, it involves different controls and greater caution.
What is the main use of rewind?
Primarily for returning to earlier parts of media like tapes or videos.
What does it mean to reverse a decision?
It means to annul or overturn a previously made decision.
How does 'reverse engineering' work?
It involves deconstructing a product or software to understand its composition or to replicate it.
Can all digital media be rewound?
Yes, most digital media platforms include functionality for rewinding.
What is a reverse gear in vehicles for?
It's specifically for moving the vehicle backwards.
Can reversing a process be permanent?
Yes, especially in contexts like chemical reactions or system resets.
What does 'reverse psychology' imply?
It involves advocating for an opposite behavior to encourage the desired response.
Can legal decisions be reversed?
Yes, through appeals and higher court rulings.
Does reversing a video edit its content?
No, it merely changes the playback direction temporarily.
How do you reverse a list in programming?
By applying a method or function that iterates from the end to the start.
Is it possible to reverse a river’s flow?
Naturally no, but engineering projects can alter water courses.
Is rewind still relevant with streaming services?
Yes, as users often rewind to rewatch parts of streams.
What are the implications of reversing climate change?
It involves significant changes to policies and practices globally to reduce or negate the effects.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
