versatile

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ver·sa·tile

(vûr′sə-təl, -tīl′)

adj.

1. Capable of doing many things competently.

2. Having varied uses or serving many functions: "The most versatile of vegetables is the tomato" (Craig Claiborne).

3. Variable or inconstant; changeable: a versatile temperament.

4. Biology Capable of moving freely in all directions, as the loosely attached anthers of certain flowers.

[Latin versātilis, from versātus, past participle of versāre, to turn; see wer- in Indo-European roots.]

ver′sa·tile·ly adv.

ver′sa·til′i·ty (-tĭl′ĭ-tē), ver′sa·tile·ness (-təl-nĭs, -tīl′-) n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

versatile

(ˈvɜːsəˌtaɪl)

adj

1. capable of or adapted for many different uses, skills, etc

2. variable or changeable

3. (Botany) botany (of an anther) attached to the filament by a small area so that it moves freely in the wind

4. (Zoology) zoology able to turn forwards and backwards: versatile antennae.

[C17: from Latin versātilis moving around, from versāre to turn]

ˈversaˌtilely adv

versatility, versatileness n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ver•sa•tile

(ˈvɜr sə tl; esp. Brit. -ˌtaɪl)

adj.

1. capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc.

2. having or capable of many uses or applications: a versatile tool.

3. Bot. attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely, as an anther.

4. Zool. turning either forward or backward: a versatile toe.

5. variable or changeable, as in feeling, purpose, or policy.

[1595–1605; < Latin versātilis revolving =versā(re), frequentative of vertere to turn + -tilis -tile]

ver′sa•tile•ly, adv.

ver`sa•til′i•ty, n.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Adj.	1.	versatile - having great diversity or variety; "his various achievements are impressive"; "his vast and versatile erudition" various varied - characterized by variety; "immigrants' varied ethnic and religious traditions"; "his work is interesting and varied"
	2.	versatile - changeable or inconstant; "versatile moods" variable - liable to or capable of change; "rainfall in the tropics is notoriously variable"; "variable winds"; "variable expenses"
	3.	versatile - competent in many areas and able to turn with ease from one thing to another; "a versatile writer" skilled - having or showing or requiring special skill; "only the most skilled gymnasts make an Olympic team"; "a skilled surgeon has many years of training and experience"; "a skilled reconstruction of her damaged elbow"; "a skilled trade"
	4.	versatile - able to move freely in all directions; "an owl's versatile toe can move backward and forward"; "an insect's versatile antennae can move up and down or laterally"; "a versatile anther of a flower moves freely in the wind" biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms mobile - moving or capable of moving readily (especially from place to place); "a mobile missile system"; "the tongue is...the most mobile articulator"

versatile

adjective

1. adaptable, flexible, all-round, resourceful, protean, multifaceted, many-sided, all-singing, all-dancing He stood out as one of the game's most versatile athletes.
adaptable limited, fixed, inflexible, unadaptable, one-sided

2. all-purpose, handy, functional, variable, adjustable, all-singing, all-dancing a versatile piece of equipment
all-purpose limited

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

versatile

adjective

Having many aspects, uses, or abilities:

all-around, all-round, many-sided, multifaceted, protean, various.

Translations

مُتَعَدِّد الإسْتِعمالاتمُتَعَدِّدُ الـجَوَانِبمُتَعَدِّد المؤهلات

mnohostrannýuniverzálnívšestranný

alsidigmed mange anvendelsesmuligheder

vielseitig wandlungsfähig wendig

πολύπλευρος

versátil polifacético flexible

monipuolinen

polyvalent versatile aux talents variés

svestran

fjölhæfurfjölnota

versatile versatilit...multilaterale poliedrico

多方面の

다재다능한

įvairiapusisįvairiapusiškumas

daudzfunkciju-daudzpusīgsplaša pielietojuma-universāls

multilateralversatil

универсальный

mångsidig

ซึ่งมีประโยชน์หลายอย่าง

çok yönlüçok kullanışlı

đa tài

多才多艺的通用的

versatile

[ˈvɜːsətaɪl] ADJ [person] → polifacético, versátil; [material] → versátil, que se presta a usos distintos
eggs are very versatile → los huevos dan mucho juego

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

versatile

[ˈvɜː^rsətaɪl] adj

[person] → polyvalent(e)

[machine, tool, material] → polyvalent(e)

[food] → aux nombreux modes de préparation

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

versatile

adj → vielseitig; he has a very versatile mind → er ist geistig sehr flexibel

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

versatile

[ˈvɜːsəˌtaɪl] adj (person) → versatile; (machine, tool) → multiusi inv

versatile

(ˈvəːsətail) adjective

1. (of people etc) able to turn easily and successfully from one task, activity or occupation to another. a versatile entertainer; He will easily get another job – he is so versatile.

2. (of a material etc) capable of being used for many purposes. a versatile tool.

ˌversaˈtility (-ˈti-) noun

versatile

→ مُتَعَدِّدُ الـجَوَانِب mnohostranný alsidig vielseitig πολύπλευρος versátil monipuolinen polyvalent svestran versatile 多方面の 다재다능한 veelzijdig allsidig wszechstronny versátil универсальный mångsidig ซึ่งมีประโยชน์หลายอย่าง çok yönlü đa tài 多才多艺的

versatile

a. versátil, polivalente; que tiene una variedad de aplicaciones.

References in classic literature ?

For so Livy (after he had described Cato Major in these words, In illo viro tantum robur corporis et animi fuit, ut quocunque loco natus esset, fortunam sibi facturus videretur) falleth upon that, that he had versatile ingenium.

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The orchestra played negro melodies and a versatile drummer pounded, whacked, clattered and scratched on a dozen machines to make noise.

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(1803-1873), was almost incredibly fluent and versatile. Much of his life a member of Parliament and for a while of the government, he was a vigorous pamphleteer.

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I would never give way to that; I was always versatile. But a clergyman is tied a little tight.

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[16] versatile master of English--happily not yet included in Mr.

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Manicamp was engaged in devoted attendance on the princess, who already treated him without reserve, on account of his versatile fancy, his frank courtesy of manner, and conciliatory disposition.

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Among our body count we the versatile and talented Ugolino; the justly celebrated Rodolpho; the gifted and accomplished Roderigo; the management have spared neither pains nor expense--"

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But it soon appeared that Marnoo's powers were as versatile as they were extraordinary.

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All these facts show that it is a bird of very versatile habits and considerable ingenuity.

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'Jingle,' said that versatile gentleman, taking the hint at once.

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A versatile and entertaining companion, by turns prosperous and impecunious, and an optimist always, Gardiner Hubbard became a really indispensable factor as the first advance agent of the telephone business.

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Remember, also, that your law is the stuff of a day, and that you are not versatile in the stuff of more than a day.