Part of Speech

Adjective, Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

Adjective: /ˈkɒmpækt/ (British), /kəmˈpækt/ (American)

Noun: /ˈkɒmpækt/

Verb: /kəmˈpækt/

Definitions

• Adjective: Closely packed together; small but efficient.
• Noun: A formal agreement or contract.
• Verb: To press or pack together tightly.

Usage Examples

• The apartment was small but compact.
• The nations signed a compact for mutual defense.
• The machine compacts the garbage into small blocks.

Etymology

From Latin compactus, past participle of compingere ("to put together"), from com- ("together") + pangere ("to fasten").

Synonyms

• Dense
• Small
• Agreement
• Compress

Antonyms

• Spacious
• Loose
• Disagreement
• Expand

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

British: /ˈkɒmpækt/

American: /kəmˈpækt/ (verb), /ˈkɒmpækt/ (noun, adjective)

Historical Usage

The term "compact" has been used in English since the 16th century in legal and physical contexts.

Cultural Nuances

The word is commonly used to describe small, efficient objects or spaces, as well as agreements in legal and diplomatic contexts.

More Information

"Compact" is widely used in technology, automotive, and business fields to describe efficiency and organization.