compatible

/kəm'pætəbl/

Thân thiện

A new printer is compatible with the old computer.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Capable of existing or working together without conflict or problems: Describes things, people, or ideas that can combine or function in harmony.
   • Capable of being mixed without separating or undergoing a chemical change: Used in chemistry and physics to describe substances.
   • Designed to work with another device or system without special adaptation: Used in technology to describe hardware or software.

Usage and Examples

• General Harmony:
  • The new software is compatible with older operating systems.
  • They are a very compatible couple and rarely argue.
• Scientific/Technical Context:
  • These two chemicals are not compatible and may react dangerously if mixed.
  • Ensure the memory card is compatible with your camera model.
• Ideological or Conceptual Agreement:
  • His actions were compatible with his stated beliefs.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to be compatible with": This is the standard prepositional phrase used with the adjective.
  • Is this printer compatible with my laptop?
• "mutually compatible": Emphasizes that two or more things are compatible with each other.
  • Their career goals are mutually compatible.
• "backward compatible": A technical term describing a new version of a product that can work with older versions or accessories.
  • The new gaming console is backward compatible with games from the previous generation.

Variants and Related Words

• Compatibility (n): The state of being compatible.
  • They tested the compatibility of the new network drivers.
• Compatibly (adv): In a compatible manner.
  • The systems worked compatibly from the first day.
• Incompatible (adj): The direct antonym, meaning not compatible.
  • Their schedules were incompatible.

Synonyms

• Harmonious: Free from disagreement or conflict.
• Consistent: In agreement; not self-contradictory.
• Congruent: In agreement or harmony.
• Well-suited: Appropriate for each other.

Antonyms

• Incompatible
• Conflicting
• Incongruous
• Unsuited

Related Phrases and Idioms

• (To be) like oil and water: An idiom describing two things or people that are completely incompatible.
  • The two managers are like oil and water; they can never agree.
• A square peg in a round hole: An idiom for a person or thing that is incompatible with a given situation.
  • He felt like a square peg in a round hole in the corporate environment.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. capable of forming a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered by chemical interaction
2. capable of being used with or connected to other devices or components without modification
3. able to exist and perform in harmonious or agreeable combination
   • a compatible married couple
   • her deeds were compatible with her ideology