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Capable vs Compatible - What's the difference?

capable | compatible |

As adjectives the difference between capable and compatible

is that capable is able and efficient; having the ability needed for a specific task; having the disposition to do something; permitting or being susceptible to something while compatible is capable of easy interaction.

As a noun compatible is

something that is compatible with something else.

capable

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Able and efficient; having the ability needed for a specific task; having the disposition to do something; permitting or being susceptible to something.
    • She is capable and efficient.
    He does not need help; he is capable of eating on his own.
    As everyone knew, he was capable of violence when roused.
    That fact is not capable of proof.
  • (obsolete) Of sufficient capacity or size for holding, containing, receiving or taking in. Construed with of'', ''for or an infinitive.
  • * 1775 Samuel Johnson, A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland'' (''Works 10.479):
    • He has begun a road capable of a wheel-carriage.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * incapable

    Derived terms

    * capability noun

    References

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    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

    Related terms

    * compassion

    Noun

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

    External links

    * * ----