versátil

Versátil is an adjective used in Spanish and Portuguese to describe something or someone that can adapt to many uses, situations, or activities. It conveys the idea of flexibility and multipurpose function. The related noun forms are versatilidad in Spanish and versatilidade in Portuguese, both designating the quality of being versatile. The etymology traces to Latin versatilis, from vertere “to turn,” indicating the ability to change direction or application.

In everyday language, versátil can describe people, objects, and systems. A person is versátil when they possess diverse skills or can handle a range of tasks. A tool or device is versátil if it supports multiple functions. A software solution can be described as versátil if it accommodates different workflows or industries. In sports and the arts, an athlete or performer may be called versátil for competence across disciplines or styles.

The term is common in professional and marketing contexts to emphasize flexibility and broad applicability. It is related to synonyms such as flexible, adaptable, multifuncional, and polivalente. While similar to these terms, versátil often stresses the capacity to adjust and reconfigure rather than merely counting functions. In Spanish and Portuguese, the form is generally invariable with gender (versátil) and has plural forms versátiles to match the noun it modifies.