compatible

compatible — adjective

1. describes two or more people who get along well because their personalities, int

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

describes two or more people who get along well because their personalities, interests, or lifestyles suit each other; also describes general qualities, ideas, or substances that can exist or work together without causing conflict — for example, a couple who share the same life goals, or two chemicals that do not react dangerously when mixed.

Example

Ravi and his roommate are very compatible because they both enjoy quiet evenings.

compatible with [person]: describes a harmonious relationship

The flexible working hours at Rohan's firm made his schedule compatible with his child's school pick-up times.

compatible with [noun phrase]: work-life balance scenario

Common collocations
  • compatible personalities
  • compatible lifestyles
  • compatible relationship
  • compatible values
Synonyms
  • harmonious

    more formal, emphasises a pleasing lack of conflict in relationships or sound

  • well-matched

    focuses on suitability for a specific pairing, such as partners or opponents

  • like-minded

    limited to people who share the same opinions or values

  • consistent

    applies to ideas, actions, or statements that do not contradict each other

Antonyms
  • incompatible

    the direct opposite in all contexts

  • mismatched

    especially of people or pairs that do not suit each other

Grammar Patterns

compatible + with + noun phrase

Usage Note

Always takes the preposition 'with', never 'to'. This sense covers two main contexts: (a) people who get along because they share similar values or interests, and (b) non-living things — ideas, substances, systems — that coexist or operate without conflict.

Common Mistakes

I am not compatible to my new colleague.
I am not compatible with my new colleague.
The correct preposition after 'compatible' is always 'with', not 'to'.
This software is compatible for Windows.
This software is compatible with Windows.
Learners often use 'for' by analogy with other adjectives; 'with' is the correct pattern.

2. describes a computer, piece of software, or other electronic device that can con

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a computer, piece of software, or other electronic device that can connect to or operate together with another specific system or machine — for example, a printer that works with both Windows and Mac computers, or a video game that runs on a particular games console.

Example

This printer is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.

compatible with [device/OS]: technical interoperability

Not all phone chargers are compatible with every brand of mobile device.

Common collocations
  • compatible hardware
  • compatible software
  • compatible format
  • compatible version
  • compatible device
Synonyms
  • interoperable

    formal tech term; two systems that exchange data smoothly

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

compatible + with + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used in technology support contexts and product specifications. The subject is typically a device, component, or piece of software; the object introduced by 'with' is the system it connects to.

Common Mistakes

Make sure the cable is compatible to your phone.
Make sure the cable is compatible with your phone.
Again, 'with' is the only correct preposition.

compatible — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four synonyms describe two or more things that go together well, but they differ in scope and use. Compatible is the broadest term — it covers people, ideas, systems, and objects. Harmonious is more formal and emphasises a pleasing lack of conflict, often in relationships or music. Well-matched focuses on suitability for a specific pairing, such as romantic partners or sports opponents. Like-minded is restricted to people who share the same opinions or values. Consistent applies to ideas, actions, or statements that do not contradict each other. For example, a couple may be well-matched in career goals but not like-minded politically. A theory is consistent if all its claims agree, while a marriage is harmonious when both partners' expectations are compatible.

harmoniouswell-matchedlike-minded ↗consistent ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • compatible system
  • compatible device
  • compatible partner
  • compatible software

Adverbs

  • highly compatible
  • fully compatible
  • mutually compatible
  • perfectly compatible
  • directly compatible

Phrases

  • compatible with each other
  • compatible across platforms

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Compatible entered English in the 1400s from French 'compatible', which came from the Medieval Latin 'compatibilis'. The Latin root 'compati' means 'to suffer with' — from 'com-' (together) and 'pati' (to suffer or endure). The original idea was that people or things that are 'compatible' can 'suffer together' or tolerate each other's presence. Over time the meaning shifted from enduring each other to suiting each other well, and by the 1900s it was being used for machines and software as well as people.