versatile
/ˈvɜː.sə.taɪl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Able to do many different tasks or be used in many different ways. A versatile person, tool, or material is useful in more than one situation.
- She is a versatile player.
- This phone is very versatile.
- Cotton is a versatile fabric.
Adinary Nuance
Versatile is stronger than simply 'useful'. It suggests many skills, functions, or uses in one person or thing. It is close to 'adaptable' and 'flexible', but those words focus more on adjusting to change, not on having many talents or uses.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đa năng
- Spanish
- versátil
- Chinese
- 多才多艺
- Japanese
- 多才多芸
- Korean
- 다재다능한
Etymology
From Latin versatilis, meaning 'turning easily' or 'changeable'. It entered English in the 17th century and later developed the idea of being useful in many ways.
Common phrases
a versatile performera versatile toolversatile enough fora versatile range
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is versatile a positive word?
- Yes. It usually praises someone or something for being useful in many situations.
- What is the difference between versatile and adaptable?
- Versatile means having many uses or skills. Adaptable means able to change for new situations.
- Can I use versatile for people?
- Yes. It often describes a person with many skills or abilities.
- Is versatile common in academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in academic, business, and formal everyday English.