French word

polyvalent

Pronunciation

IPA/polivalɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectiveversatile

Example

Elle est polyvalente.

She is versatile.

Illustration for polyvalent (versatile)

More examples

Au bureau, elle est polyvalente et s'occupe de la comptabilité comme du service client.

At the office, she is versatile and handles both accounting and customer service.

Core concept

A person or tool with several useful functions ready for different situations.

Common phrases

  • une personne polyvalente

    a versatile person

  • un employé polyvalent

    a versatile employee

  • un collègue polyvalent

    a versatile colleague

Similar words

multitâche: Capable of managing multiple tasks or responsibilities simultaneously.
adaptable: Capable of adjusting methods and behavior to fit changing circumstances.
compétent: Skilled and knowledgeable enough to complete required work dependably.

Definition in French

Qui possède plusieurs compétences ou fonctions et qui peut les exercer dans des contextes différents.

Word origin

Polyvalent combines Greek poly- meaning 'many' with the Latin stem valent- from valere, meaning 'to be strong or effective'.

Usage tips

  • As an adjective, polyvalent becomes polyvalente with a feminine noun, while the masculine and feminine plural forms are polyvalents and polyvalentes.

Other meanings

  • multifunctionaladjective
  • multipurposeadjective

Opposites

  • spécialiséspecializedadjective

Related words

  • polyvalenceversatilitynoun

Word lists with this word