Meaning of compact in English

1. Pronunciation

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1. Verb

   compact

   Definitions

   1. have the property of being packable or compactable or of compacting easily

   Examples

   • « This powder compacts easily »
   • « Such odd-shaped items do not pack well »
2. 2. compress into a wad

   Examples

   • « wad paper into the box »
3. 3. make more compact by or as if by pressing

   Examples

   • « compress the data »

   Antonyms

   • decompress
   • uncompress
4. 4. squeeze or press together

   Examples

   • « she compressed her lips »
   • « the spasm contracted the muscle »

5. Classifying Adjective

   compact

   Definitions

   1. closely crowded together

   Examples

   • « a compact shopping center »
   • « a dense population »
   • « thick crowds »

   Synonyms

   • concentrated
6. 2. heavy and compact in form or stature

   Examples

   • « a wrestler of compact build »
   • « he was tall and heavyset »
   • « stocky legs »
   • « a thick middle-aged man »
   • « a thickset young man »

   Synonyms

   • fat
7. 3. briefly giving the gist of something

   Examples

   • « a short and compendious book »
   • « a compact style is brief and pithy »
   • « succinct comparisons »
   • « a summary formulation of a wide-ranging subject »

   Synonyms

   • concise

8. Noun

   compact

   Etymology

   late 16th century: from Latin compactum, past participle of compacisci, from com-‘with’ + pacisci‘make a covenant’. Compare with pact

   Definitions

   1. a small cosmetics case with a mirror

   Examples

   • « to be carried in a woman's purse »
9. 2. a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action
10. 3. a small and economical car

11. Qualitative Adjective

    compact

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Latin compact-‘closely put together, joined’, from the verb compingere, from com-‘together’ + pangere‘fasten’

    Definitions

    1. closely and firmly united or packed together

    Examples

    • « compact soil »
    • « compact clusters of flowers »

    Synonyms

    • clayey
    • cloggy
    • heavy
    • close-packed
    • impacted
    • wedged
    • serried
    • consolidated
    • packed
    • tight

    Antonyms

    • loose

See also

• concentrated