English Reference
Noun

versatility

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌvɝsəˈtɪɫəti/ UK /vˌɜːsətˈɪlɪti/ ver·sa·til·i·ty UK spelling versatilities

n.the ability to do many different things well or to be used in many different ways.

n.the quality of being adaptable or having a wide range of skills and applications.


SIMPLE

The versatility of this tool makes it perfect for any job.

CONTEXTUAL

The coach praised the player's versatility, as she can play effectively in both defense and midfield positions.

COMPLEX

Modern smartphones are defined by their extreme versatility, serving as communication devices, professional cameras, and powerful computing platforms all in one pocket-sized unit.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'of' to describe a person or object's range.

Versatility made him an attractive option for the Robins, where Michael Skubala is using Cardines at left-back despite the 20-year-old spending more of his career on the right.

The Guardian· 3 Sept 2026

McCabe brings Champions League-winning experience, a battling spirit and huge versatility.

The Guardian· 26 Aug 2026

From versatile + -ity.

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

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated