ENGLISH
REFERENCE

incompatible

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪnkəmˈpætəbəɫ// UK //ɪnkəmpˈætəbəl// in·com·pat·i·ble

adj. describing two things that are so different they cannot exist or work together. You use this when ideas, machines, or people don't match or would cause problems if combined.

adj. unable to exist, work, or be used together due to fundamental differences. Often describes logical propositions that cannot both be true, or substances that react negatively when mixed.


SIMPLE

The new software is incompatible with my old computer.

CONTEXTUAL

The two political parties found their core values were incompatible, making a coalition government impossible.

COMPLEX

In chemistry, mixing incompatible substances can lead to dangerous reactions, while in logic, two incompatible statements cannot simultaneously be accepted as true within the same framework.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French incompatible.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'with'. Frequently used in technical contexts like computing, medicine, or formal logic.

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