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compatible Definition

com·pat·ible (kəm pat′ə bəl)

adjective

    1. capable of living together harmoniously or getting along well together (with)
    2. in agreement; congruent (with)
    1. that can work well together, get along well together, combine well, etc. a compatible couple, compatible colors
    2. that can function or be used together without change or alteration
  3. that can be mixed without reacting chemically or interfering with one another's action or state: said of drugs, insecticides, etc.
  4. Bot. that can be cross-fertilized or grafted readily
  5. Comput. designating or of
    1. computer components, software, etc. that can be used with a specified computer or computer system: often in hyphenated compounds
    2. computers or computer systems that can use the same components, software, etc.

Etymology: ME & ML compatibilis < LL(Ec) compati: see compassion

compatible Related Forms

com·pat′·ibil′·ity noun or com·pat′·ible·ness com·pat′·ibly adverb

compatible Synonyms

compatible

modif.

agreeable, congenial, congruous, cooperative; see fit 1, 2, harmonious 2.

compatible Telecom Definition

  1. Referring to the fact that a device, program, or system can interface with another without interfering with each other and without requiring the intervention of another device or program, such as a gateway or middleware. Fully compatible devices are even interchangeable. See also gateway and middleware.
  2. Referring to a device or system that fully conforms to a standard. (Note: meaning 2 does not guarantee meaning 1.) See also standard.

compatible Usage Examples

Preposition: with

  • determinism: In particular, it addresses the question of whether, and in what sense, moral responsibility might be compatible with determinism.
  • convention: The law lords ruled that detention was not compatible with the European Convention.
  • ipod: The dock is compatible with all iPod 's that have a dock connector.
  • handset: It is compatible with the most popular mobile phone handsets.
  • browser: Web Forms 2.0, by contrast, will be compatible with current browsers.
  • hardware: These additional outputs must be compatible with the hardware and software of the sequencer system.

Modifies a noun

  • cartridge: The Inkjet Site - Printer Ink compatible ink printer cartridges for Epson, Canon, Lexmark & HP.
  • handset: For a list of compatible handsets, click here.
  • printer: Compatible printers can apply the information to optimize results.
  • playback: MP3 compatible playback Yes Allows you to play MP3 tracks burnt onto a CD from a computer.
  • PC: The tutorials will run on any IBM compatible PC.
  • browser: Please click on the Compatible browsers link below for more information.

Modifying Another Word

  • backward: Obviously we have to provide a mechanism which is backward compatible.
  • backward: However USB 2.0 devices are backward compatible with USB 1.1 interfaces.
  • backwardly: The product range is backwardly compatible with existing Belimo products.
  • mutually: Dawkins uses the example of Roman Catholicism; a gang of mutually compatible memes that is stable enough to deserve a name.
  • upwardly: LaTeX2e is upwardly compatible with LaTeX 2.09, but has new features.
  • fully: To provide a service that is fully compatible with the aims of the NGfL.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: By using a CAM, the Toppy should remain compatible with future pay TV services, as well as existing ones.
  • seem: The first argument, similarly, does not seem obviously compatible with a morally egalitarian theory such as Rawls's.