versatile

[ vur-suh-tl or, especially British, -tahyl ]

/ ˈvɜr sə tl or, especially British, -ˌtaɪl /

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See synonyms for: versatile / versatileness / versatility 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR versatile

1, 2 adaptable, all-around.

2 handy.

See synonyms for versatile on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of versatile

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin versātilis “revolving, many-sided,” equivalent to versāt(us) (past participle of versāre, frequentative of vertere “to turn”; see verse, -ate¹) + -ilis adjective suffix (see -ile)

OTHER WORDS FROM versatile

ver·sa·tile·ly, adverbver·sa·til·i·ty [vur-suh-til-i-tee], /ˌvɜr səˈtɪl ɪ ti/, ver·sa·tile·ness [vur-suh-tl-nis] /ˈvɜr sə tl nɪs/ nounun·ver·sa·tile, adjectiveun·ver·sa·tile·ly, adverb

un·ver·sa·tile·ness, noun

Words nearby versatile

Versailles, Versailles, Palace of, Versailles, Treaty of, versal, versant, versatile, versatility, vers de société, verse, versed, versed sine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use versatile in a sentence

It’s still heavy and, at almost $3,800 it is definitely not cheap, but it’s a lot more portable, versatile, and less expensive than a flats boat.
This motorized kayak can drive itself|By Nate Matthews/Outdoor Life|August 28, 2020|Popular-Science
Easily link the light strands from end-to-end for a more versatile design.
Twinkle lights that instantly cheer up your home|PopSci Commerce Team|August 27, 2020|Popular-Science
It can be used to understand real-world customer behavior, purchase intent, brand affinity and as a versatile targeting tool for online and mobile campaigns.
Foursquare becomes first company to receive MRC location-data accreditation|Greg Sterling|August 21, 2020|Search Engine Land
Even head coach Nicki Collen said she thought of Laney as more of a substitute energy source, primarily wanting the versatile 6-footer as a defensive option off the bench.
These 3 Breakout Stars Are Making The Most Of The WNBA Bubble|Howard Megdal|August 14, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Off the bench, the Sun have four more newcomers, including 3-point shooter Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, and head coach Curt Miller believes his backups are more versatile and athletic than in previous seasons.
Will The Mystics Repeat? Will The Storm Surge? What To Watch In The WNBA Bubble.|Jenn Hatfield|July 23, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
So did my versatile friend, joyously confident in his powers, start on his glorious career as a private detective.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
How defiant and versatile were the expletives of the old French nobility, we may learn from the pages of Brantôme.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
The trailer was unhooked and carefully backed in through a passage laid out by the versatile Fisheye.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney
In the years past, a versatile routing agent could and did avoid many minor financial losses by routing the show to other fields.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney
Hannah too is versatile; and leaps from adoration to envy with wonderful facility.
My New Curate|P.A. Sheehan

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 forms of versatile

versatilely, 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

versatile

OTHER WORDS FOR versatile

Origin of versatile

OTHER WORDS FROM versatile

Words nearby versatile

Words related to versatile

How to use versatile in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for versatile

Derived forms of versatile

Word Origin for versatile