versatile
[vur-suh-tl or, esp. British, -tahyl]
- 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.
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Origin of versatile
Synonyms
See more synonyms for versatile on Thesaurus.com1, 2. adaptable, all-around. 2. handy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for versatile
Contemporary Examples
Since Westlake was as prolific as he was versatile, this all took a while.
Ever the versatile bigot, Ransdell hates gays, African Americans, and immigrants, in addition to Jewish people.
Served in lieu of morning pancakes or bread at supper, ployes are nothing if not versatile.
Regular viewers of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon know that The Roots are one of the most versatile bands working today.
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 ActMarlow Stern
April 28, 2014
Historical Examples
And a very tolerable forgery did this versatile hero produce.
The Prisoner of ZendaAnthony 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.
Talma and Rachel, if as great as he, were not so complete, so versatile.
Perez was not the only favoured votary of the versatile siren.
versatile
- 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
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Word Origin
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).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper