compatible

1 of 2

adjective

com·​pat·​i·​ble kəm-ˈpa-tə-bəl 

1

: capable of existing together in harmony

compatible theories

compatible people

2

: capable of cross-fertilizing freely or uniting vegetatively

3

: capable of forming a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered by chemical interaction

4

: capable of being used in transfusion or grafting without reaction (such as agglutination or tissue rejection)

5

: designed to work with another device or system without modification

The printer is compatible with most computers.

especially : being a computer designed to operate in the same manner and use the same software as another computer

compatibility

kəm-ˌpa-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

compatibleness

kəm-ˈpa-tə-bəl-nəs 

noun

compatibly

kəm-ˈpa-tə-blē 

adverb

compatible

2 of 2

noun

plural compatibles

: a device (such as a computer) or system designed to be used with another device or system without modification

This game is available on disk as well as in a full-voiced CD edition for PCs and compatibles.

—Scott A. May

Synonyms

Adjective

• agreeable
• amicable
• congenial
• frictionless
• harmonious
• kindred
• unanimous
• united

Examples of compatible in a Sentence

Adjective

two people with compatible personalities

This printer is compatible with most PCs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These fonts are widely accepted and compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), ensuring your résumé is easily scannable by both humans and software. —Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024

What other political traditions, then, might be compatible with his calls for a new economic order? —Sheri Berman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Medieval Latin compatibilis, literally, sympathetic, from Late Latin compati

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1972, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compatible

• backward compatible
• backwards compatible
• self-compatible

Kids Definition

compatible

adjective

com·​pat·​i·​ble kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl 

1

: capable of existing together in harmony

compatible colors

compatible devices

2

: able to cross-fertilize freely

compatible plants

compatibility

-ˌpat-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

compatible

adjective

com·​pat·​i·​ble kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl 

1

: capable of existing together in a satisfactory relationship (as marriage)

2

: capable of being used in transfusion or grafting without immunological reaction (as agglutination or tissue rejection)

treatment of hemophilia by transfusion of compatible blood

3

of medications : capable of being administered jointly without interacting to produce deleterious effects or impairing their respective actions

compatibility

-ˌpat-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural compatibilities