versatile

[vur-suh-tl or, esp. British, -tahyl]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR versatile ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc.: a versatile writer.

having or capable of many uses: a versatile tool.

Botany. attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely, as an anther.

Zoology. turning either forward or backward: a versatile toe.

variable or changeable, as in feeling, purpose, or policy: versatile moods.

Origin of versatile

1595–1605; < Latin versātilis revolving, many-sided, equivalent to versāt(us) (past participle of versāre, frequentative of vertere to turn; see verse, -ate¹) + -ilis -ile

Related formsver·sa·tile·ly, adverbver·sa·til·i·ty, ver·sa·tile·ness, nounnon·ver·sa·til·i·ty, nounun·ver·sa·tile, adjectiveun·ver·sa·tile·ly, adverbun·ver·sa·tile·ness, nounun·ver·sa·til·i·ty, noun

Synonyms for versatile

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR versatile ON THESAURUS.COM

1, 2. adaptable, all-around. 2. handy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for versatile

gifted, talented, skillful, skilled, functional, all-around, adaptable, accomplished, resourceful, able, adroit, conversant, dexterous, elastic, facile, handy, ingenuous, mobile, plastic, pliable

Examples from the Web for versatile

Contemporary Examples of versatile

Since Westlake was as prolific as he was versatile, this all took a while.
Donald E. Westlake, The Man With The Getaway Face
Malcolm Jones
October 25, 2014
Ever the versatile bigot, Ransdell hates gays, African Americans, and immigrants, in addition to Jewish people.
White Supremacist Runs For Senate in Kentucky
Olivia Nuzzi
September 21, 2014
Served in lieu of morning pancakes or bread at supper, ployes are nothing if not versatile.
On the Canadian Border, It's Pancakes for Every Meal
Jane & Michael Stern
July 6, 2014
Regular viewers of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon know that The Roots are one of the most versatile bands working today.
Viral Video of the Day: Harry Potter and the Legendary Roots Crew
Alex Chancey
June 19, 2014
The former stand-up comedian has evolved into one of the most versatile entertainers in showbiz.
Jamie Foxx on ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2,’ Donald Sterling’s Racism, and Bill O’Reilly’s TV Act
Marlow Stern
April 28, 2014

Historical Examples of versatile

And a very tolerable forgery did this versatile hero produce.
The Prisoner of Zenda
Anthony Hope
It is to be wished that it were, but it is no such easy matter to be versatile in painting.
Modern Painters Volume I (of V)
John Ruskin
Versatile, yet persevering, he varied his pursuits, but he never abandoned any.
Great Men and Famous Women, Vol. 8 (of 8)
Various
Talma and Rachel, if as great as he, were not so complete, so versatile.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 15, No. 89, May, 1875
Various
Perez was not the only favoured votary of the versatile siren.
Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 366, April, 1846
Various

British Dictionary definitions for versatile

versatile

adjective

capable of or adapted for many different uses, skills, etc

variable or changeable

botany (of an anther) attached to the filament by a small area so that it moves freely in the wind

zoology able to turn forwards and backwardsversatile antennae

Derived Formsversatilely, adverbversatility (ˌvɜːsəˈtɪlɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for versatile

C17: from Latin versātilis moving around, from versāre to turn

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for versatile

adj.

c.1600, from Latin versatilis "turning, revolving, moving, capable of turning to varied subjects or tasks," from past participle stem of versare "keep turning, be engaged in something, turn over in the mind," frequentative of vertere "to turn" (see versus).