incompatible
gb/ɪŋkəmpˈætəbəl/ us/ɪŋkəmpˈætəbəl/
B2
English
~ 8800
összeegyeztethetetlen, nem fér össze, összeférhetetlen, nem kompatibilis, inkompatibilis, egymást kizáró
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is incompatible with [something]
Their long-distance careers eventually proved incompatible with a stable family life.
A sok távolléttel járó karrierjük végül összeegyeztethetetlennek bizonyult a stabil családi élettel.
The couple realized they had completely incompatible ideas about money and children.
A pár rájött, hogy a pénzről és a gyerekvállalásról teljesen összeegyeztethetetlen elképzeléseik vannak.
A strict vegan diet is incompatible with his love of cheese and ice cream.
Her perfectionist style is incompatible with a fast-paced startup environment.
The two countries’ demands are incompatible with any quick peace deal.
Learner examples
My job is incompatible with taking long holidays.
A munkám nem egyeztethető össze a hosszabb szabadságokkal.
Their personalities are incompatible, so they often argue.
Nem fér össze a személyiségük, ezért gyakran vitatkoznak.
His plans are incompatible with our family needs.
Smoking is incompatible with a healthy lifestyle.
These two ideas are incompatible with each other.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *incompatible to* instead of *incompatible with*. The common pattern is: *[something] is incompatible with [something]*, e.g., *This plan is incompatible with our budget.* Another mistake is using it when things are just different, not truly unable to work together.
Meaning
unable to exist or work together
Collocations
incompatible with each other
|incompatible personalities
|incompatible goals
|incompatible lifestyles
|incompatible beliefs
|totally incompatible
Synonyms
unsuitable (Suggests something does not fit well in a situation, but may sound less strong or final than 'incompatible'.)
|
inconsistent (Focuses more on logical or practical mismatch, not always a deep or permanent conflict.)
Antonyms
compatible (Direct opposite; means able to exist, live, or work together without serious problems.)
|
well-matched (Emphasizes a good and harmonious fit, especially for people or things that suit each other.)
Themes
relationships
|work
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not able to live, work, or be used together because they are too different or cause problems.
Not able to exist, be used, or live together because of basic differences or conflict.
B2
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
[system/device] is incompatible with [system/device]
This printer is incompatible with older versions of the operating system.
Ez a nyomtató nem kompatibilis az operációs rendszer régebbi verzióival.
The app stopped working after an update because it’s incompatible with my phone.
Az alkalmazás egy frissítés után leállt, mert nem kompatibilis a telefonommal.
The new file format is incompatible with most video players.
Their customer database is incompatible with our current software.
The latest release introduces changes that are backward incompatible with previous versions.
Learner examples
This game is incompatible with my computer.
Ez a játék nem kompatibilis a számítógépemmel.
The new charger is incompatible with my phone.
Az új töltő nem kompatibilis a telefonommal.
Your file is incompatible with this program.
The old cable is incompatible with the new TV.
These two apps are incompatible and cannot run together.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *incompatible* with *broken*. Something incompatible is not damaged; it simply cannot work together with a specific system. Also, the usual preposition is *with*, as in *incompatible with Windows 11*.
Meaning
systems or devices not working together
Collocations
incompatible software
|incompatible versions
|incompatible devices
|backward incompatible
|incompatible file format
|incompatible browser
Synonyms
noncompatible (Less common technical variant; used mostly in documentation or specifications.)
|
unsupported (Means a system does not officially work with something, even if it might sometimes function.)
Antonyms
compatible (Standard technical opposite; means systems can work together or use each other’s data.)
|
interoperable (Technical term stressing that different systems can communicate and work together smoothly.)
Themes
technology
|computing
|science
Definition
Used for computers and machines that cannot work together or use each other’s files or parts.
Describes hardware, software, formats, or technical systems that cannot operate correctly together or be used with each other.
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[facts/roles] are incompatible
His two accounts of the incident are clearly incompatible.
Az esetről adott két beszámolója nyilvánvalóan kizárja egymást.
Holding both positions on the board would be incompatible under company rules.
A vállalati szabályzat szerint összeférhetetlen lenne a két igazgatósági tisztség egyidejű betöltése.
The judge found the witness’s testimony incompatible with the physical evidence.
These obligations are incompatible with each other and must be separated.
Membership in the committee is incompatible with serving as an independent reviewer.
Learner examples
Your two answers are incompatible.
A két válaszod kizárja egymást.
These two jobs are incompatible under the law.
Ez a két állás a törvény szerint összeférhetetlen.
His story is incompatible with the facts.
The two roles are incompatible, so you must choose one.
Their promises are incompatible and cannot both be kept.
Common mistake:
Learners may use *different* when they mean *incompatible*. Two ideas can be different but not incompatible. Use *incompatible* only when both things cannot be true or cannot happen together.
Meaning
mutually exclusive facts or roles
Collocations
mutually incompatible
|logically incompatible
|incompatible statements
|incompatible roles
|incompatible duties
|incompatible positions
Synonyms
mutually exclusive (Very close in meaning; more common in formal or logical discussion.)
|
irreconcilable (Stronger and more emotional; often used about differences or conflicts that cannot be resolved.)
Antonyms
consistent (Means two statements or roles can exist together without contradiction.)
|
reconcilable (Indicates that seeming differences can be brought into agreement.)
Themes
law
|logic
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used when two things cannot both be true or happen together at the same time.
Not able to both be true, valid, or held at the same time; mutually exclusive in logic, law, or formal situations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
incompatible
IPA
GB/ɪŋkəmpˈætəbəl/
US/ɪŋkəmpˈætəbəl/
Syllables & stress
in - com - pat - ible (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (pat)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: incompatible
- Comparative: incompatibler
- Superlative: incompatiblest
Word family
Forms
incompatibler
adjective
incompatiblest
adjective
Core family
Related words
incompatibly
adverb
compatibly
adverb
Expressions
be incompatible with
1/bˈi ɪŋkəmpˈætəbəl wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
not able to exist or work with
If something is "incompatible with" something else, they cannot exist, live, or work together without serious problems.
Examples
- His long working hours are incompatible with raising small children.
- This software is incompatible with older computers.
- Lying is incompatible with the values of our company.
incompatible with life
1/ɪŋkəmpˈætəbəl wˈɪθ lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
technical
unable to allow survival
Used in medical language to describe an injury or condition so serious that a person cannot live with it.
Examples
- The doctor explained that the fetus had a defect incompatible with life.
- In many cases, such severe brain injuries are incompatible with life.
mutually incompatible
1/mjˈut͡ʃuəli ɪŋkəmpˈætəbəl/
fixed phrase
formal
each excludes the others
Used when two or more things cannot all be true or happen at the same time.
Examples
- The three proposals are mutually incompatible; we must choose only one.
- Their explanations are mutually incompatible and cannot all be correct.