versatile
adjective
Examples of versatile in a Sentence
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.
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Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2023
Better Homes & Gardens Abbott Exposed Clay Stoneware Divided Serving Tray
The versatile Better Homes & Gardens Abbott Exposed Clay Stoneware Divided Serving Tray is a welcome addition to a holiday entertaining display as well as weeknight meals.
—Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
With Santa Margarita down 21-0 and 29-8 on Thursday night at Bishop Amat, the Eagles started turning to the versatile Trent Mosley, a sophomore with tremendous offensive skills.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
The Doctor Strange collection — like others in Folio’s series — is compiled and introduced by Roy Thomas, Stan Lee’s successor as head of Marvel as well as a versatile comics writer himself.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023
Donning versatile athleisure clothes suitable for various activities from the lake to the golf course, Both Zac and Efron beckon us to bet on Vuori and get these versatile, stylish performance clothes for ourselves right now.
—Maverick Li, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2023
Jasmine is someone with a versatile hitting ability.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023
In addition to featuring six shade families, where the foundation and concealer really shine—for both fairer and darker tones—is through their versatile undertone offerings, available in neutral, rosy, peach, and golden.
—Tiffany Dodson, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2023
This versatile kegerator is a favorite for both home brewers and taproom patrons.
—Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 7 Sep. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'versatile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
borrowed from Latin versātilis "able to turn, operated by turning, capable of turning to different tasks," from versāre "to keep turning" (frequentative of vertere "to turn") + -tilis, suffix with the sense "characterized by, obtained by" — more at worth entry 1
1605, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Phrases Containing versatile
Dictionary Entries Near versatile
Cite this Entry
“Versatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versatile. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
versatile
adjective
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
More from Merriam-Webster on versatile
Nglish: Translation of versatile for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of versatile for Arabic Speakers
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