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
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
Scott A. MaySynonyms
Examples of compatible in a Sentence
Adjective
two people with compatible personalities
This printer is compatible with most PCs.
Recent Examples on the WebJohnny 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
Finally, Capricorns are not compatible with Aries and Cancer signs.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Budget friendly smartwatch This budget-friendly watch is compatible with both Android and IOS users.
—Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
This project management software is compatible with MS Office and Office LTSC and can be synced with Project Online and Project Server.
—Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 21 Apr. 2024
The tracks can be configured in nine different ways and are compatible with other wooden train sets, including Thomas the Tank Engine, Chuggington, and Brio.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Apr. 2024
Because, in the end, his position on privacy isn’t compatible with it — little kids aren’t known for their discretion.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
This software is sold as a one-time lifetime purchase for one device and is compatible with Windows 10, 11, and Server.
—Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
IEEE Spectrum, 6 Dec. 2018
Custom-tailored for each astronaut, the suits are roughly 10 pounds lighter than their bulky orange predecessors, and come equipped with some top-notch features including thinner, more-flexible helmets and gloves that are touch-screen compatible.
—Amy Klinkhammer, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2017
All televisions marketed as HDR-compatible should support this standard.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 18 Nov. 2019
In addition to its slightly larger 10.2-inch retina display, features like the Smart Connector make the new tablet compatible with the full-size Smart Keyboard once relegated to the iPad Pro.
—Patrick Lucas Austin, Time, 10 Sep. 2019
Look for cases that are wireless charging-compatible.
—Nicole Saporita, Good Housekeeping, 20 Dec. 2018
With the success of the PC and PC compatibles, Microsoft became hugely successful.
—Peter Bright, Ars Technica, 16 Oct. 2018
Each zip file contains a vector EPS (Adobe Illustrator version 8+ compatible) and some artists will also include PDF and AI files as well.
—Jenny Knizner, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2018
Microsoft is also warning, again, that all Windows updates now require the use of a compatible, up-to-date anti-virus program.
—Peter Bright, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2018
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
Finally, Capricorns are not compatible with Aries and Cancer signs.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Budget friendly smartwatch This budget-friendly watch is compatible with both Android and IOS users.
—Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
This project management software is compatible with MS Office and Office LTSC and can be synced with Project Online and Project Server.
—Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 21 Apr. 2024
The tracks can be configured in nine different ways and are compatible with other wooden train sets, including Thomas the Tank Engine, Chuggington, and Brio.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 21 Apr. 2024
Because, in the end, his position on privacy isn’t compatible with it — little kids aren’t known for their discretion.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
This software is sold as a one-time lifetime purchase for one device and is compatible with Windows 10, 11, and Server.
—Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
Noun
RadioShack was the biggest retailer of PCs through 1982, at which point its TRS-80 line began to be eclipsed by more powerful and versatile machines, including IBM’s Personal Computer, various IBM PC-compatibles, and Apple’s Macintosh line.
—IEEE Spectrum, 6 Dec. 2018
Custom-tailored for each astronaut, the suits are roughly 10 pounds lighter than their bulky orange predecessors, and come equipped with some top-notch features including thinner, more-flexible helmets and gloves that are touch-screen compatible.
—Amy Klinkhammer, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2017
All televisions marketed as HDR-compatible should support this standard.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 18 Nov. 2019
In addition to its slightly larger 10.2-inch retina display, features like the Smart Connector make the new tablet compatible with the full-size Smart Keyboard once relegated to the iPad Pro.
—Patrick Lucas Austin, Time, 10 Sep. 2019
Look for cases that are wireless charging-compatible.
—Nicole Saporita, Good Housekeeping, 20 Dec. 2018
With the success of the PC and PC compatibles, Microsoft became hugely successful.
—Peter Bright, Ars Technica, 16 Oct. 2018
Each zip file contains a vector EPS (Adobe Illustrator version 8+ compatible) and some artists will also include PDF and AI files as well.
—Jenny Knizner, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2018
Microsoft is also warning, again, that all Windows updates now require the use of a compatible, up-to-date anti-virus program.
—Peter Bright, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compatible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near compatible
Cite this Entry
“Compatible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compatible. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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