compatibility

American  

[kuhm-pat-uh-bil-i-tee] / kəmˌpæt əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the natural ability to live or work together in harmony because of well-matched characteristics.

   In earlier times, love and compatibility were not the main considerations in finding a suitable spouse.

2. the quality or fact of being in agreement; consistency.

   Her essay questions the presumed compatibility of capitalism and democracy.

3. Computers. the ability to be used with a certain operating system or piece of hardware or software without the need for special adaptations.

   Before installing the application, check the compatibility of your device.

4. the ability to function or be integrated with other parts of any system, whether biological or technical.

   Terasaki devised the first tissue-typing method to assess the compatibility of organ donors and recipients.

---

Etymology

Origin of compatibility

First recorded in 1605–15; equivalent to Medieval Latin compatibili(s) + Latin -tās; compatible ( def. ), -ty ² ( def. )

Explanation

Compatibility has to do with how people or things get along. A married couple should have a lot of compatibility; people who always argue don't have any. Compatibility is a huge issue in life. Every person has compatibility with some people and a lack of compatibility with others. Compatibility applies to things too; computer programs have compatibility with certain types of computers but not others. In all cases, compatibility has to do with getting along. People with compatibility also have chemistry — they are in harmony.

Example Sentences

Working with stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, director Kristoffer Borgli is less interested in matters of compatibility than the fickle calculus of cancellation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

This method delivers low optical loss, stable performance, and compatibility with existing fiber-optic systems, all of which are important for moving quantum technologies beyond lab experiments.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

But a presentation by AI company Anthropic emphasising the compatibility of its technology with existing programmes tempered some fears, analysts said.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

The infrastructure that let previous generations test compatibility through behavior is gone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

Still another factor is compatibility with vested interests.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• rapport
• unity