compatible

1 of 2

adjective

com·​pat·​i·​ble kəm-ˈpa-tə-bəl 

1

: capable of existing together in harmony

compatible theories

compatible people

2

: capable of cross-fertilizing freely or uniting vegetatively

3

: capable of forming a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered by chemical interaction

4

: capable of being used in transfusion or grafting without reaction (such as agglutination or tissue rejection)

5

: designed to work with another device or system without modification

The printer is compatible with most computers.

especially : being a computer designed to operate in the same manner and use the same software as another computer

compatibility

kəm-ˌpa-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

compatibleness

kəm-ˈpa-tə-bəl-nəs 

noun

compatibly

kəm-ˈpa-tə-blē 

adverb

compatible

2 of 2

noun

plural compatibles

: a device (such as a computer) or system designed to be used with another device or system without modification

This game is available on disk as well as in a full-voiced CD edition for PCs and compatibles.

—Scott A. May

Synonyms

Adjective

• agreeable
• amicable
• congenial
• frictionless
• harmonious
• kindred
• unanimous
• united

Examples of compatible in a Sentence

Adjective

two people with compatible personalities

This printer is compatible with most PCs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Many industries, particularly retail and service-heavy sectors, rely on older systems that are not immediately compatible with modern biometric solutions. —Michael Engle, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

The gloves also have thumb and index finger pads that are compatible with smartphones. —Melony Forcier, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

RadioShack was the biggest retailer of PCs through 1982, at which point its TRS-80 line began to be eclipsed by more powerful and versatile machines, including IBM’s Personal Computer, various IBM PC-compatibles, and Apple’s Macintosh line. —IEEE Spectrum, 6 Dec. 2018

Custom-tailored for each astronaut, the suits are roughly 10 pounds lighter than their bulky orange predecessors, and come equipped with some top-notch features including thinner, more-flexible helmets and gloves that are touch-screen compatible. —Amy Klinkhammer, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Medieval Latin compatibilis, literally, sympathetic, from Late Latin compati

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1972, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing compatible

• backward compatible
• backwards compatible
• self-compatible

Kids Definition

compatible

adjective

com·​pat·​i·​ble kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl 

1

: capable of existing together in harmony

compatible colors

compatible devices

2

: able to cross-fertilize freely

compatible plants

compatibility

-ˌpat-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

compatible

adjective

com·​pat·​i·​ble kəm-ˈpat-ə-bəl 

1

: capable of existing together in a satisfactory relationship (as marriage)

2

: capable of being used in transfusion or grafting without immunological reaction (as agglutination or tissue rejection)

treatment of hemophilia by transfusion of compatible blood

3

of medications : capable of being administered jointly without interacting to produce deleterious effects or impairing their respective actions

compatibility

-ˌpat-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural compatibilities