versatile

adjective ver·sa·tile \ ˈvər-sə-tᵊl , especially British -ˌtī(-ə)l \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

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

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

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versatilely

play \ˈvər-sə-tᵊl-(l)ē, -ˌtī(-ə)l-lē\ adverb

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versatileness

play \ˈvər-sə-tᵊl-nəs, -ˌtī(-ə)l-nəs\ noun

See versatile defined for English-language learners

See versatile defined for kids

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

Cam Shaw is another versatile senior who used to focus on the jumps but now also competes in the throwing events as Suffield graduated its best thrower.

— lori riley, courant.com, "High School Track: Suffield Girls Unbeaten, Seek Outright NCCC Title This Year," 18 Apr. 2018
Pincushions are versatile plants, small enough to include in mixed perennial beds or wildflower gardens.

— earl nickel, San Francisco Chronicle, "Go over the brink of pink with new variety of pincushion flower," 13 Apr. 2018
Andrew Ho was a versatile shooting guard, who had a season-high 15 points against Mt. Hebron.

— brent kennedy, Howard County Times, "Howard County winter junior varsity programs build hope for future," 12 Apr. 2018
Vogel eventually moved to a more versatile lineup when the team traded Ibaka in February 2017.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando Magic fire Frank Vogel," 12 Apr. 2018
These include an aluminum stacking chair for Knoll, and a small, versatile steel cart for the iconic Italian company Danese that won the prestigious Compasso d’Oro in 2011.

— pilar viladas, Curbed, "How ship masts inspired this LA-designer’s latest textile collection," 12 Apr. 2018
WebAuthn has strong backing from the major browser vendors and is also designed to be more versatile.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Practical passwordless authentication comes a step closer with WebAuthn," 10 Apr. 2018
The versatile, sociable Lab has had the longest-ever reign as top dog.

— CBS News, "Top U.S. dog breeds: Labs lead, French bulldogs leap in popularity," 28 Mar. 2018
Ben Zobrist’s strong performance in Miami last weekend calmed any doubts manager Joe Maddon had about the health of his versatile veteran.

— mark gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Joe Maddon wants Cubs hitters to learn from Ben Zobrist's quality at-bats," 4 Apr. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1605

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year

versatile Synonyms

Synonyms

adaptable, all-around (also all-round), protean, universal;

Near Antonyms

limited;

amateur, inexperienced;

well-rounded;

able, ace, adept, experienced, expert, masterful, proficient, skilled, skillful;

adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, fluid, malleable, modifiable, plastic, pliable, pliant, supple, variable;

VERSATILE Defined for English Language Learners

versatile

adjective

Definition of versatile for English Language Learners

: able to do many different things
: having many different uses

VERSATILE Defined for Kids

versatile

adjective ver·sa·tile \ ˈvər-sə-tᵊl \

Definition 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.