compatibility
Americannoun
-
compatibilities
plural
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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.
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the quality or fact of being in agreement; consistency.
Her essay questions the presumed compatibility of capitalism and democracy.
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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.
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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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of compatibility
First recorded in 1605–15; equivalent to Medieval Latin compatibili(s) + Latin -tās; see 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.
Vocabulary lists containing compatibility
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
All intending couples must undergo comprehensive medical examinations - including tests for HIV, hepatitis, pregnancy and genotype compatibility - before being cleared for the programme.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
"My girlfriend's AI compatibility rating was perfect," he added.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
They plugged Travis’s core values into an app one of the friends built to assess compatibility.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Sometimes compatibility unfolds over long conversations at coffee shops or even on the dance floor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
His insistence on the compatibility of the new science and Christian faith was an expression of his deepest convictions.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
And, placebo or not, I can’t help but think there are other, less discernible compatibilities uniting us all.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
You name a number of compatibilities, and I think it’s worth trying to work things out.
From Slate ● Dec. 8, 2020
Figure 18.17 summarizes the blood types and compatibilities.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
The trigger was the mutual interest of all three in south Indian music and its compatibilities with contemporary , so the pieces explore lots of intricate melodies and rhythms.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 23, 2010
She recommended that the AAP standard and the TEI, which has already been somewhat harmonized internationally and which also shares several compatibilities with the AAP, be harmonized to ensure sufficient compatibility in the software.
From Library of Congress Workshop on Etexts by Library of Congress
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
