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Definition of versatile
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
4a (1) : capable of turning forward or backward : reversible a versatile toe of a bird (2) : capable of moving laterally and up and down versatile antennaeb of an anther : having the filaments attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely
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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.
Recent Examples of versatile from the Web
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Of all our favorite beauty trends, the cat-eye is one of the most classic — and the most versatile.
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The versatile Wormsley committed Monday to SIU after playing every position on the line at some point in his career, and in multiple styles of offense.
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Hayward is also one of the better, more versatile defenders among top scorers, in part due to his strengthening over the last seven years.
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FireWire was faster and more versatile than the other new standard, USB, which had a paltry 12-megabits-a-second maximum speed that was mediated by CPU load (which meant real transfer speeds were somewhat slower).
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With 248 kills, 56 aces and 336 assists, Pfeiffer led the Porters to a program-record 31-win season as one of the most versatile players in the state.
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Fridge wines have to be versatile enough to go with just about every food and occasion and should be high on fruity deliciousness but not too serious or complex.
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With the structure of white wine and some of the aromatics of red wine, rosé is incredibly versatile and can pair with everything from salads to pizza to barbecue.
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Is industrial hemp, a variety of cannabis and a relative of marijuana, as versatile and important a crop as some of its proponents believe?
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'versatile'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of versatile
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 1worth
VERSATILE Defined for English Language Learners
versatile
playDefinition of versatile for English Language Learners
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: able to do many different things
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: having many different uses
VERSATILE Defined for Kids
versatile
playDefinition of versatile for Students
1 : able to do many different kinds of things
2 : having many uses a versatile tool
Word Root of versatile
The Latin word vertere, meaning “to turn” or “to change,” and its form versus give us the roots vert and vers. Words from the Latin vertere have something to do with turning or changing. Anything versatile, or able to do or be used for many different things, can change its task easily. A vertebra is a bone in the spine that allows an animal to turn its head or body. To avert is to turn away. To divert is to turn aside onto a new path. To revert is to turn back to a former way of being.
Learn More about versatile
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See words that rhyme with versatile Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for versatile Spanish Central: Translation of versatile Nglish: Translation of versatile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of versatile for Arabic speakers
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