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

The roommates’ incompatible goals and perennial brokeness lead to side-splitting conflicts, with Shelby cramming for her GED while Kaitlin’s greatest ambition is to throw an epic island party. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Poulos says the desire for streamers to see immediate viewership numbers is incompatible with how multicams need time to grow their audiences. — Leila Jordan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Each round produced more capable people executing more skillfully against incompatible interpretations of the strategy. — Leslie Ellis, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

The Fauci mythos was incompatible with the actual work of being Fauci. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 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
• matabele
• ratable

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