incompatibility

noun

in·​com·​pat·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin-kəm-ˌpa-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural incompatibilities

1

a

: the quality or state of being incompatible

b

: lack of interfertility between two plants

2

incompatibilities plural : mutually antagonistic things or qualities

Examples of incompatibility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In other words, Belly and Jere showcased incompatibilities both big and small this week — and the compromise is definitely not a wedding cake with one layer of raspberry and dark chocolate and one of peaches and milk chocolate. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Before making a life-changing decision, consider a different perspective: what if the issue isn't incompatibility, but rather being at the wrong distance from each other? —Kwame Christian Esq, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025

Similar enzyme defects are known to cause neurological and developmental issues, in addition to blood incompatibility. —New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2025

The adoption of open standards democratizes technology, enabling organizations to mix and match solutions, leveraging the best of what the market has to offer without fear of incompatibility. —Rajat Bhargava, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for incompatibility

• communicability
• comprehensibility
• deliverability
• differentiability
• impenetrability
• impermeability
• impracticability
• inaccessibility
• inadmissibility
• inapplicability
• indestructibility
• indispensability

Kids Definition

incompatibility

noun

in·​com·​pat·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin-kəm-ˌpat-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural incompatibilities

: the quality or state of being incompatible

Medical Definition

incompatibility

noun

in·​com·​pat·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin-kəm-ˌpat-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural incompatibilities

: the quality or state of being incompatible

chemical incompatibility