versatile Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite having great diversity or variety
    various.
    • his various achievements are impressive
    • his vast and versatile erudition
  2. adjective satellite changeable or inconstant
    • versatile moods
  3. adjective satellite competent in many areas and able to turn with ease from one thing to another
    • a versatile writer
  4. adjective satellite 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

WordNet

Ver"sa*tile adjective
Etymology
L. versatilis, fr. versare to turn around, v. freq. of vertere: cf. F. versatile. See Verse.
Definitions
  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.) 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.

Webster 1913