incompatible

adjective

in·​com·​pat·​i·​ble ˌin-kəm-ˈpa-tə-bəl 

1

: not compatible: such as

a

: incapable of association or harmonious coexistence

incompatible colors

Their personalities were incompatible.

The policy is incompatible with my beliefs.

b

: unsuitable for use together

This printer is incompatible with some PCs.

specifically : unsuitable for use together because of undesirable chemical or physiological effects

incompatible drugs

c

: not both true

incompatible propositions

d

: incapable of blending into a stable homogeneous mixture

2

: incapable of being held by one person at one time

—used of offices that make conflicting demands on the holder

incompatible noun

incompatibly

ˌin-kəm-ˈpa-tə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of incompatible

• conflicting
• inconsistent

Examples of incompatible in a Sentence

This printer is incompatible with some PCs.

the committee's incompatible goals—develop new projects and cut costs—meant that they got very little accomplished

Recent Examples on the Web

Jackie Robinson was a passionate advocate for social and racial equality, and the Dodgers going to the White House again would be incompatible with his legacy. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026

The city’s Planning Commission approved the project in October despite objections from nearby residents, who appealed the decision to the City Council saying the environmental report was deficient and the subdivision was incompatible with surrounding land uses. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026

Each jurisdiction defines core terms differently, forcing companies to analyze identical systems under multiple incompatible frameworks. —James Richardson, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026

Those former employees also criticized Thieme’s spending millions of dollars on aircraft parts and planes incompatible with existing surveillance equipment and the guard’s mission. —Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin incompatibilis, from Latin in- + Medieval Latin compatibilis compatible

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing incompatible

• self-incompatible

Rhymes for incompatible

• compatible
• biocompatible
• ratable
• rateable

Kids Definition

incompatible

adjective

in·​com·​pat·​i·​ble ˌin-kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl 

1

: not able to be brought together in harmony

their personalities were incompatible

incompatible colors

2

a

: not able to be used together

incompatible computer systems

b

: unsuitable for use together because of undesirable chemical or bodily effects

incompatible blood types

incompatibly

-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

incompatible

adjective

in·​com·​pat·​i·​ble ˌin-kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl 

1

: unsuitable for use together because of chemical interaction or antagonistic physiological effects

incompatible drugs

2

of blood or serum : unsuitable for use in a particular transfusion because of the presence of agglutinins that act against the recipient's red blood cells