VERSATILE

versatile

(adjective) 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”

versatile

(adjective) competent in many areas and able to turn with ease from one thing to another; “a versatile writer”

versatile

(adjective) changeable or inconstant; “versatile moods”

versatile, various

(adjective) having great diversity or variety; “his various achievements are impressive”; “his vast and versatile erudition”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

versatile (comparative more versatile, superlative most versatile)

Capable of doing many things competently.

Having varied uses or many functions.

Changeable or inconstant.

(biology) Capable of moving freely in all directions.

(BDSM) Being a switch; capable of taking either a dominant or a submissive role.

Anagrams

• levirates, relatives

Source: Wiktionary


Ver"sa*tile, a. Etym: [L. versatilis, fr. versare to turn around, v. freq. of vertere: cf. F. versatile. See Verse.]

1. Capable of being turned round. Harte.

2. Liable to be turned in opinion; changeable; variable; unsteady; inconstant; as versatile disposition.

3. Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily applied to a new task, or to various subjects; many-sided; as, versatile genius; a versatile politician. Conspicuous among the youths of high promise . . . was the quick and versatile [Charles] Montagu. Macaulay.

4. (Nat. Hist.)

Definition: Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a versatile toe of a bird.

– Ver"sa*tile*ly, adv.

– -- Ver"sa*tile*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

17 April 2025

SPONGE

(noun) a porous mass of interlacing fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals and usable to absorb water or any porous rubber or cellulose product similarly used


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