versatile
Americanadjective
-
capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc..
It takes a truly versatile writer to manage two genres so well.
- Synonyms:
- all-around, adaptable
-
having or capable of many uses.
A pocket knife is a versatile tool.
- Synonyms:
- handy, all-around, adaptable
-
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.
His versatile moods made him a challenge to work with.
-
Slang. vers.
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 backwards
versatile antennae
Other Word Forms
- unversatile adjective
- unversatilely adverb
- unversatileness noun
- versatilely adverb
- versatileness noun
- versatility noun
Etymology
Origin of versatile
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin versātilis “revolving, many-sided,” from versāt(us) “turned repeatedly” (past participle of versāre “to turn repeatedly,” from vertere “to turn”; verse ) + -ilis -ile
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Watch the video above to learn more about why the Pentagon is moving this versatile unit into the Middle East.
Veronica is a versatile media personality and frequent guest on national television, podcasts, radio and at live events, where she provides expert analysis on a wide range of personal finance topics.
John Lithgow has long been one of the most versatile and accomplished actors of his generation in any medium.
Indeed, it is understood that clubs in the Premier League and Europe are taking an interest in the versatile full-back before the summer transfer window.
From BBC
A CoreWeave spokeswoman disputed this characterization and said that the company “operates independently and our partner decisions are driven by customer demand and technical performance for the most versatile GPU technology available.”
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
