COMPATIBLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does compatible mean? 

• COMPATIBLE (adjective)
  The adjective COMPATIBLE has 3 senses:

1. able to exist and perform in harmonious or agreeable combination

2. capable of being used with or connected to other devices or components without modification

3. capable of forming a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered by chemical interaction

  Familiarity information: COMPATIBLE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COMPATIBLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Able to exist and perform in harmonious or agreeable combination

Context example:

her deeds were compatible with her ideology

Similar:

congenial ((used of plants) capable of cross-fertilization or of being grafted)

congruous (suitable or appropriate together)

harmonious (existing together in harmony)

Also:

congenial (suitable to your needs)

harmonious (musically pleasing)

matched (going well together; possessing harmonizing qualities)

Antonym:

incompatible (not compatible)

Derivation:

compatibility (capability of existing or performing in harmonious or congenial combination)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Capable of being used with or connected to other devices or components without modification

Domain category:

computer; computing device; computing machine; data processor; electronic computer; information processing system (a machine for performing calculations automatically)

Antonym:

incompatible (incapable of being used with or connected to other devices or components without modification)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Capable of forming a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered by chemical interaction

Similar:

miscible; mixable ((chemistry, physics) capable of being mixed)

 Context examples 

Eight planets in earth signs will be compatible to your water-sign Scorpio element, and those planets will keep your feet firmly on the ground.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

After confirming that the neuromuscular tissue was compatible with their synthetic biobot skeletons, the teams worked to optimize the swimmers' abilities.

(Researchers build microscopic biohybrid robots propelled by muscles, nerves, National Science Foundation)

The technique is compatible with roll-to-roll processes, which means it is scalable and inexpensive.

(Potassium gives perovskite-based solar cells an efficiency boost, University of Cambridge)

A device designed to make different pieces of apparatus compatible.

(Adapter Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

A clinical treatment in which a patient receives bone marrow from a compatible, but not genetically identical, donor.

(Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, NCI Thesaurus)

A globally unique identifier deployed by systems that are compatible with the caGrid.

(caBIG Identifier, NCI Thesaurus)

Lymphocytes from incompatible individuals will stimulate each other to proliferate significantly (usually measured by tritiated thymidine uptake) whereas those from compatible individuals will not.

(Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction Test, NCI Thesaurus)

The disease follows a benign course and is compatible with a normal life expectancy, requiring occasionally partial excision or decompression for relief of pain or other symptoms.

(Peritoneal Multicystic Mesothelioma, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Compatible with relief of pain and discomfort in antibacterial therapy, its use is limited however due to toxicity (primarily blood disorders) and potential carcinogenicity.

(Phenazopyridine, NCI Thesaurus)

Issue associated with the device not being compatible with another device component or substance (medication, body fluid etc) that it contains or transports.

(Medical Device Incompatibility Problem, Food and Drug Administration)