Word
versatile
Phoneticsver·sa·tile, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈvɝsətəɫ/
UK/vˈɜːsətˌaɪl/
Definitions
01having many uses
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. useful in many different ways or for many different purposes.
adj. having varied uses or many functions; highly adaptable to different tasks or environments.
“Eggs are a versatile ingredient because you can use them in both sweet and savoury dishes.”
“The new software proved to be a versatile tool, allowing the design team to manage both complex 3D rendering and simple vector illustrations within a single interface.”
Antonyms
02having many skills
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. able to do many different things well.
adj. capable of performing many different tasks or roles competently.
“She is a versatile athlete who competes in both swimming and running.”
“The director sought a versatile actor capable of transitioning seamlessly from light-hearted physical comedy to intense, emotionally demanding dramatic scenes.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03moving freely
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. able to move easily in any direction.
adj. capable of moving freely in all directions, such as an organ or an animal's appendage.
“Some birds have versatile toes that help them grip branches easily.”
“The versatile antennae of the insect allow it to detect chemical signals from multiple directions simultaneously while navigating dense undergrowth.”
Real-World Examples
“The versatile Preap Sovath—“[a]rguably the most popular singer in Cambodia today,” Mamula writes—has released CDs in styles ranging from folk music and lounge tunes to disco and rap .” “A versatile midfielder, Melgård can play in the centre or on the wing and has an eye for goal, as shown in Villa’s recent friendly against Paris FC.” Etymology
From Latin versātilis (“turning easily”), from versātus, past participle of versō (“I turn, change”), frequentative of vertō (“I turn”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/versatile