vis-à-vis

• Nom désignant une personne ou une chose qui fait face à une autre, ou qui remplit la même fonction ou possède les mêmes caractéristiques qu'une autre ; également, un petit canapé en forme de S permettant à deux personnes de s'asseoir face à face.

A noun referring to a person or thing that has the same function or characteristics as another, or a small sofa designed to seat two people facing each other.

1. Counterpart or equivalentC1formal

   A person or thing that has the same function or characteristics as another; a counterpart.

   Homologue

   • The American president met with his French vis-à-vis.
   • This model is the vis-à-vis of the earlier version.
   • She is considered the vis-à-vis of the CEO in the European branch.

   Synonymescounterpartequivalentmatchopposite numberpeertwin

2. Small sofa for twoC1formal

   A small sofa or settee designed to seat two people facing each other.

   Vis-à-vis (petit canapé)

   • They bought an antique vis-à-vis for the living room.
   • The vis-à-vis was placed in the corner of the parlor.
   • A vis-à-vis is perfect for intimate conversations.

   Synonymessociable

• Préposition empruntée au français, utilisée dans des contextes formels et académiques pour indiquer un rapport, une comparaison ou une opposition spatiale entre deux éléments — signifiant « par rapport à », « en comparaison de » ou « en face de ».

A preposition borrowed from French, used in formal and academic contexts to indicate a relationship, comparison, or spatial opposition between two entities — meaning 'in relation to', 'as compared with', or 'face-to-face with'.

1. In relation to; regardingC2formalpolitical

   Used to indicate a relationship, connection, or reference point between two entities, often in formal, legal, diplomatic, or academic discourse.

   Par rapport à

   • The government's policy vis-à-vis immigration has been widely debated.
   • We need to assess our position vis-à-vis the new regulations.
   • Her attitude vis-à-vis authority has always been respectful but independent.

2. As compared with; in comparison toC2formalbusiness

   Used to draw a comparison between two quantities, positions, qualities, or situations, typically in analytical, business, or scholarly writing.

   par rapport à

   • The company's profits this year are strong vis-à-vis last year's results.
   • His salary is modest vis-à-vis industry standards.
   • The study examines gender pay gaps vis-à-vis educational attainment.

3. Face-to-face with; opposite (spatial)C2formal

   Indicates physical positioning directly opposite or facing another person or object; less common in modern usage, retained primarily in literary or descriptive contexts.

   En face de, face à

   • The two delegates sat vis-à-vis during the negotiations.
   • The hotel rooms are arranged vis-à-vis, offering views of the courtyard.
   • She found herself seated vis-à-vis the keynote speaker at dinner.