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.

Nearby words

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

ver·sa·tile·ly, adverbver·sa·til·i·ty, ver·sa·tile·ness, nounnon·ver·sa·til·i·ty, nounun·ver·sa·tile, adjective

un·ver·sa·tile·ly, adverbun·ver·sa·tile·ness, nounun·ver·sa·til·i·ty, noun

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

Examples from the Web for 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|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

On YouTube, Letterman was no match for his spry, versatile competition.
Stephen Colbert and the Viral Video-Fueled Generation Hijack Late Night|Jason Lynch|April 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My versatile mind turns to the seven years of judicious Badness.
The Story of Mary MacLane|Mary MacLane
And now we begged to be allowed to visit the atelier, where the versatile artist worked out his pictures.
Vocal Mastery|Harriette Brower
She was sole sovereign of all the Russias, at liberty to indulge any caprice that entered her versatile brain.
Love affairs of the Courts of Europe|Thornton Hall
Unluckily for Athens, Socrates was not able to instil strong principles of virtue into the mind of the versatile Alcibiades.
Historic Tales, vol 10 (of 15)|Charles Morris
It is to be remembered that Mr. Story's pen is as versatile as his talent is various.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 17, No. 97, January, 1876|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

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).