versatile
adjective
ver·sa·tile
ˈvər-sə-tᵊl 
especially British
-ˌtī(-ə)l
1
: embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills
also
: turning with ease from one thing to another
2
: having many uses or applications
versatile building material
3
: changing or fluctuating readily : variable
a versatile disposition
4
a(1)
: capable of turning forward or backward : reversible
a versatile toe of a bird
(2)
: capable of moving laterally and up and down
versatile antennae
b
of an anther
: having the filaments attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely
Examples of versatile in a Sentence
Horses stand apart because of their versatile roles in human society, which came to include dairy production, transportation, haulage, plowing, sports, warfare, religion, and status.
—
Sandra L. Olsen, Natural History, May 2008
Linemen have to be nimble, corners physical and linebackers versatile.
—Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 22 Dec. 2008
Adobos are the Philippines' most beloved, and most versatile, dishes. They consist of meat, poultry, fish, or vegetables (such as okra and eggplant) slow-cooked in an aromatic broth of vinegar or coconut milk, garlic, black pepper, bay leaves, and, sometimes, soy sauce until virtually all the liquid has evaporated.
—Amy Besa, Saveur, December 2008
This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to three scientists for their work on a versatile strategy for synthesizing all manner of novel chemical compounds in an environmentally friendly way. … The three scientists focused on a reaction called metathesis …
—A. Cunningham, Science News, 15 Oct. 2005
Within weeks [Gerd] Binnig, then 38 and with an infant daughter, worked with a colleague to build a prototype for what has become one of the most versatile scientific tools ever created: the atomic force microscope, or AFM.
—Ivan Amato, Fortune, 14 June 2004
She is a versatile athlete who participates in many different sports.
A pocketknife is a versatile tool.
Sandra L. Olsen, Natural History, May 2008
Linemen have to be nimble, corners physical and linebackers versatile.
—Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 22 Dec. 2008
Adobos are the Philippines' most beloved, and most versatile, dishes. They consist of meat, poultry, fish, or vegetables (such as okra and eggplant) slow-cooked in an aromatic broth of vinegar or coconut milk, garlic, black pepper, bay leaves, and, sometimes, soy sauce until virtually all the liquid has evaporated.
—Amy Besa, Saveur, December 2008
This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to three scientists for their work on a versatile strategy for synthesizing all manner of novel chemical compounds in an environmentally friendly way. … The three scientists focused on a reaction called metathesis …
—A. Cunningham, Science News, 15 Oct. 2005
Within weeks [Gerd] Binnig, then 38 and with an infant daughter, worked with a colleague to build a prototype for what has become one of the most versatile scientific tools ever created: the atomic force microscope, or AFM.
—Ivan Amato, Fortune, 14 June 2004
She is a versatile athlete who participates in many different sports.
A pocketknife is a versatile tool.
Recent Examples on the Web
The timing plays to Beijing’s efforts to cast China as a versatile, global power broker at a moment of intense geopolitical flux.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
During the course of the series so far, the two best teams in baseball had become the bitterest of rivals, the animosity between them fueled by the Cubs’ treatment of their teammate Mark Koenig, a versatile infielder who’d been traded from the Yankees in mid-season.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Meanwhile, Nico Hoerner was the starting shortstop in Saturday’s lineup, with rookie infielder Pedro Ramírez covering second base, underlining the potential options for a club with several versatile defenders.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 June 2026
He's considered one of the planet’s most versatile watermen, with accolades that include eight-time stand-up paddle world champion, hydrofoil pioneer, and big-wave master.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for versatile
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
During the course of the series so far, the two best teams in baseball had become the bitterest of rivals, the animosity between them fueled by the Cubs’ treatment of their teammate Mark Koenig, a versatile infielder who’d been traded from the Yankees in mid-season.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Meanwhile, Nico Hoerner was the starting shortstop in Saturday’s lineup, with rookie infielder Pedro Ramírez covering second base, underlining the potential options for a club with several versatile defenders.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 June 2026
He's considered one of the planet’s most versatile watermen, with accolades that include eight-time stand-up paddle world champion, hydrofoil pioneer, and big-wave master.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for versatile
Cite this Entry
“Versatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versatile. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
versatile
adjective
ver·sa·tile
ˈvər-sət-ᵊl
: able to do many different kinds of things
versatility
noun
ˌvər-sə-ˈtil-ət-ē
Etymology
from French versatile or Latin versatilis, both meaning "versatile, able to change," derived from Latin versari "to turn, change, reside (in a place)," from vertere "to turn" — related to converse, reverse, universe, vertical, vice versa
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