English Reference
noun

compatibility

n.
US /kəmˌpætəˈbɪɫəˌti/ UK /kəmpˌætɪbˈɪlɪti/ com·pat·i·bil·i·ty UK spelling compatibilities, compatibility's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the ability of two people to live or work together happily because they have similar interests or characters.

    the state of being able to exist or work together in combination without conflict; often refers to psychological or social alignment between individuals.

    Simple

    After a few months of dating, they realized their compatibility was perfect because they shared the same goals.

    In context

    The HR department uses personality assessments to ensure team compatibility, reducing the likelihood of friction during high-pressure projects.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    the ability of different pieces of equipment or software to work together correctly.

    the capability of two or more components or systems to function together without mutual interference or the need for modification.

    Simple

    Before buying the new software, check its compatibility with your current operating system.

    In context

    The transition to the new cloud infrastructure was delayed due to compatibility issues between the legacy database and the modern API.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'with'.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    the ability of two substances to be mixed or used together without causing a bad reaction.

    the capacity of materials or chemical substances to exist in contact with each other or as a mixture without undergoing an adverse reaction.

    Simple

    The doctor checked the compatibility of the two medicines to make sure they were safe to take together.

    In context

    Engineers must verify the chemical compatibility of the sealant with the metal alloy to prevent long-term corrosion of the aircraft fuselage.

Through controlled pollination experiments, the researchers first established the compatibility relationships between the two varieties by analyzing pollen attachment, pollen tube growth and seed development.

Phys.org· 3 Sept 2026

Some Laptop 13 Pro parts break compatibility with the older Framework Laptop 13, but Framework did manage to preserve compatibility between many major components.

Ars Technica· 27 Jul 2026

Borrowed from New Latin compatibilitās. By surface analysis, compatible + -ity.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated