versatile

[ vur-suh-tl or, esp. British, -tahyl ]
/ ˈvɜr sə tl or, esp. British, -ˌtaɪl /

adjective

capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc.: a versatile writer.
having or capable of many uses: a versatile tool.
Botany. attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely, as an anther.
Zoology. turning either forward or backward: a versatile toe.
variable or changeable, as in feeling, purpose, or policy: versatile moods.

Origin of versatile

1595–1605; < Latin versātilis revolving, many-sided, equivalent to versāt(us) (past participle of versāre, frequentative of vertere to turn; see verse, -ate1) + -ilis -ile

OTHER WORDS FROM versatile

Example sentences from the Web for versatile

British Dictionary definitions for versatile

versatile
/ (ˈvɜːsəˌtaɪl) /

adjective

capable of or adapted for many different uses, skills, etc
variable or changeable
botany (of an anther) attached to the filament by a small area so that it moves freely in the wind
zoology able to turn forwards and backwards versatile antennae

Derived forms of versatile

versatilely, adverb versatility (ˌvɜːsəˈtɪlɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for versatile

C17: from Latin versātilis moving around, from versāre to turn