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versatility

versatility

22 5.8
Ability to do many different things well
  • noun
  • /ˌvɜːrsəˈtɪləti/
translation icon : versatilidad
  • Her versatility in the workplace means she can handle multiple roles, from project management to graphic design.
  • stylistic versatility
  • Cognitive Versatility
  • flexibility and versatility

Now I want you to join me in imagining what a technology with this kind of depth and versatility might be capable of.

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Examples

  • We begin by examining the versatility of the approach from the government's perspective.

    Academic text (2005)
  • To make a career in dance, to make a career here in New York City, versatility is everything.

  • Greater cash flow gives our man Jack here greater investment versatility.

  • Now that I see how much it means to you, I can see its beauty and versatility.

  • A career which demands the versatility to play a panoply of characters.

  • None of the younger teachers on the staff he supervised could match his versatility.

    Academic text (2000)
  • All of these artists demonstrate the versatility of a medium that, for them, combines a number of attractive characteristics.

    Academic text (1997)
  • I have to admit, I love the speed, simplicity, and versatility of Microsoft Imager.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The remarkable sensitivity and versatility of PRC have revolutionized the practice of molecular genetics.

    Academic text (1992)
  • TreBay Medical Corporation introduces the first battery-powered drill with the power and versatility of expensive microsurgical drill systems.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

flexibility
vsversatility
153 3.6

Ability to change plans or actions easily to fit new situations

emphasizes breadth across many roles rather than just willingness to change
adaptability
vsversatility
11 3.9

Being able to change and work well in new situations

stresses usefulness across many activities and varied skill sets
pliancy
vsversatility
1 6.7

A quality of changing easily in mind or body

focuses on wide skills and use across many different fields
flexibleness
vsversatility
3.9

The ability to change to fit new situations

covers many different functions and a wide range of skills
adaptedness
vsversatility
  • Specialized
8.0

How well something fits a place or purpose

means ability to work in many roles rather than being fitted to one place

Antonyms

13 4.1

A particular area of work or study that someone focuses on

1 4.3

A limited range of ideas, knowledge, or choices

How Versatile

universality
9 6.8
versatility
22 5.8
adaptability
11 3.9
specialization
  • US
13 4.1
rigidity
  • Specialized
3 6.0

Surface Forms

versatility singular
versatilities plural

Morphology

versatility = versatile (transparent) = versatile + ity

Productive and regular nominalization of the adjective 'versatile' with '-ity'; the meaning (state or quality of being versatile) is directly predictable.

Etymology

Versatility comes from the old Latin root vers- and the verb vertere, which mean 'to turn', and you can see the same idea in familiar words like reverse and convert. So, something versatile can 'turn' easily from one job or skill to another, which is why versatility means the ability to adapt to many different uses.