definitions
  • synonyms

versatile

[ vur-suh-tl or, esp. British, -tahyl ]
/ ˈvɜr sə tl or, esp. British, -ˌtaɪl /
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

versailles, versailles, palace of, versailles, treaty of, versal, versant, versatile, verse, versed, versed sine, verset, versicle

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
SYNONYMS FOR versatile
1, 2 adaptable, all-around.
2 handy.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR versatile ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for versatile

British Dictionary definitions for versatile

versatile

/ (ˈvɜːsəˌtaɪl) /

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

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).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper