# compatibility

/kəmˌpætəˈbɪɫəˌti/ (US) · /kəmpˌætɪbˈɪlɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compatibility
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. interpersonal harmony

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- After a few months of dating, they realized their compatibility was perfect because they shared the same goals.
- The HR department uses personality assessments to ensure team compatibility, reducing the likelihood of friction during high-pressure projects.

### 2. technical systems

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- Before buying the new software, check its compatibility with your current operating system.
- 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. materials or substances

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The doctor checked the compatibility of the two medicines to make sure they were safe to take together.
- Engineers must verify the chemical compatibility of the sealant with the metal alloy to prevent long-term corrosion of the aircraft fuselage.

## Examples

- I need to check the compatibility of this software with my laptop.
- The update caused compatibility issues with older printers, so many office workers could not finish their reports.
- Ensuring backward compatibility is a primary concern for developers who want to retain their existing user base while introducing modern features to the platform.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.