What does "compatible" mean?

1. (working well together) able to exist, live, or work together without problems or conflict. 2. (technical integration) able to be used together with other equipment or software without needing changes. 3. (a compatible device) a piece of equipment or software that can work with another system.

How do you use "compatible"?

Usually followed by the preposition 'with'. Often used with 'with' to indicate the secondary system.

compatible

adj. · n.

US //kəmˈpætəbəɫ// UK //kəmpˈætəbəl// com·pat·i·ble

1 working well together (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

able to exist, live, or work together without problems or conflict.

capable of existing or performing in harmonious combination; often used to describe interpersonal relationships or abstract ideas.

Example

They decided to get married because they were highly compatible and shared the same goals.

Example

The new policy is not entirely compatible with the existing regulations, which may lead to legal challenges during the implementation phase.

Usage

Usually followed by the preposition 'with'.
- harmonious
- consistent
- congruous
- incompatible
- conflicting
2 technical integration (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

able to be used together with other equipment or software without needing changes.

referring to hardware or software capable of functioning together without modification.

Example

This software is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Example

The legacy database proved to be compatible with the cloud-based architecture, saving the IT department months of data migration work.

Usage

Often used with 'with' to indicate the secondary system.
- interoperable
- interchangeable
- incompatible

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3 a compatible device (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

a piece of equipment or software that can work with another system.

a device or software package designed to be used in conjunction with a specific system or standard.

Example

The store sells expensive original parts and cheaper compatibles.

Example

During the early years of personal computing, the market was flooded with IBM compatibles that offered similar performance at a fraction of the cost.
- equivalent
- clone

Origin

from Middle French compatible, from Medieval Latin compatibilis (“in compatibile beneficium, a benefice which could be held together with another one”), from Late Latin compator (“to suffer with”), from com- (“together”) + pati (“to suffer”); see passion.