compatible

American  

[kuhm-pat-uh-buhl] / kəmˈpæt ə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of existing or living together in harmony.

   the most compatible married couple I know.

2. able to exist together with something else.

   Prejudice is not compatible with true religion.

3. consistent; congruent (often followed bywith ).

   His claims are not compatible with the facts.

4. Botany. (of two or more different plant species or cultivars) capable of cross-pollinating.

   These varieties of apple trees are quite distinct one from the other, but they are compatible, with each one’s pollen fertilizing the other’s flowers.

5. Computers.

   1. (of software) capable of being run on another computer without change.

   2. (of hardware) capable of being connected to another device without the use of special equipment or software.

6. Electronics. (of a device, signal, etc.) capable of being used with equipment in a system without the need for special modification or conversion.

7. noting a system of television in which color broadcasts can be received on ordinary sets in black and white.

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noun

1. something, as a machine or piece of electronic equipment, that is designed to perform the same tasks as another, often in the same way and using virtually identical parts, programmed instructions, etc..

   Software written for one computer will probably run on its close compatibles.

compatible British  

/ kəmˈpætəbəl /

adjective

1. (usually foll by with) able to exist together harmoniously

2. (usually foll by with) consistent or congruous

   her deeds were not compatible with her ideology

3. 1. capable of forming successful grafts

   2. capable of successful self-fertilization See self-compatible self-incompatible

4. (of pieces of machinery, computer equipment, etc) capable of being used together without special modification or adaptation

   a PC-compatible disc

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Other Word Forms

• compatibility noun
• compatibleness noun
• compatibly adverb
• noncompatible adjective
• noncompatibleness noun
• noncompatibly adverb

Etymology

Origin of compatible

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin compatibilis, derivative of Late Latin compatī ( Latin com- “with, together” + patī “to suffer, undergo”); com-, -ible

Example Sentences

They believe in an enlightened, secular Islam compatible with freedom of conscience and civil equality.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the Crown Estate says the building needs a refurbishment that's not compatible with the restaurant remaining.

From BBC

"We are reinforcing a migratory model based on human rights, integration, co-existence and which is compatible with economic growth and social cohesion," Saiz said.

From BBC

The salesperson assured us it was compatible with our tilt-up bed, a feature we only use to put sheets on.

From MarketWatch

"These notches in the wheels and the deformation observed in the track are compatible with the fact that the track was cracked," it wrote in what it called a "working hypothesis".

From Barron's

Related Words

• adaptable
• appropriate
• consistent
• suitable