adj.
Pronunciation: ' v ə r-s ə -t ə l, esp Brit - ˌ t ī (- ə )l
Function: adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French, from Latin versatilis turning easily, from versare to turn, frequentative of vertere
Date: 1605
1 : changing or fluctuating readily : VARIABLE <a versatile disposition>
2 : embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills also : turning with ease from one thing to another
3 a (1) : capable of turning forward or backward : REVERSIBLE <a versatile toe of a bird> (2) : capable of moving laterally and up and down < versatile antennae> b of an anther : having the filaments attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely
4 : having many uses or applications < versatile building material>
– ver · sa · tile · ly \ -t ə l-(l) ē , - ˌ t ī (- ə )l-l ē \ adverb
– ver · sa · tile · ness \ -t ə l-n ə s, - ˌ t ī (- ə )l-n ə s \ noun