What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Compatible vs Available - What's the difference?

compatible | available |

As adjectives the difference between compatible and available

is that compatible is capable of easy interaction while available is such as one may avail one’s self of; capable of being used for the accomplishment of a purpose.

As a noun compatible

is something that is compatible with something else.

compatible

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Capable of easy interaction.
  • Able to get along well.
  • Consistent; congruous.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
  • , chapter=1 citation , passage=She was like a Beardsley Salome , he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry.}}

    Antonyms

    * incompatible

    Derived terms

    * compatibility

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something that is compatible with something else.
  • a computer company that sells IBM compatibles

    available

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Such as one may avail one’s self of; capable of being used for the accomplishment of a purpose.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
  • , title= , chapter=2 citation , passage=For this scene, a large number of supers are engaged, and in order to further swell the crowd, practically all the available stage hands have to ‘walk on’ dressed in various coloured dominoes, and all wearing masks.}}
    We have an available candidate.
  • Readily obtainable.
  • The list shows the available products in the store.
  • (legal) Valid.
  • This is an available plea.
  • (archaic) Having sufficient power, force, or efficacy to achieve the purpose; availing, effective.
  • *
  • Not in a romantic relationship; single.
  • I asked her if she was available but she said she had a boyfriend.

    Synonyms

    * (such as can be availed of) usable, profitable, advantageous; vacant (of a location) * (legally valid) effectual, valid

    Antonyms

    * (such as can be availed of) unavailable