adjective
Common
compact
KOM-pakt
Compact (adjective) means taking up little space; neatly and efficiently arranged. Example: “The tent folds down into a compact bundle that fits easily in a rucksack.”
adjective
1
Taking up little space; neatly and efficiently arranged.
"The tent folds down into a compact bundle that fits easily in a rucksack."
"The apartment was small but compact, with clever built-in storage."
"She bought a compact car that was easy to park in the city."
noun
1
A formal agreement between two or more parties.
"Neighbouring villages made a compact to share the cost of the new bridge."
"Under the compact, each side agreed to respect the other's borders."
"The two nations signed a compact promising mutual defense."
2
A small case containing face powder, often with a mirror.
"Grandma kept an old silver compact in her handbag, with a tiny mirror inside."
"He found a cracked compact on the floor and handed it back to her."
"She checked her makeup in her compact before the meeting."
verb
1
To press or pack something tightly together.
"Please compact the rubbish so that the bin does not fill up so quickly."
"We compacted the snow with our boots to make a firm path."
"The machine compacts the soil before the foundation is laid."
How to use compact
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmall and efficiently packed (adjective), a formal agreement (noun), or to press tightly together (verb).
Common pairings
compact car
compact design
social compact
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Word forms
- Plural
- compacts
- Third person singular
- compacts
- Past tense
- compacted
- Comparative
- more compact, compacter
- Superlative
- most compact, compactest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tent folds down into a _____ bundle that fits easily in a rucksack.
Etymology
From Latin compactum ("agreement"), from compingere ("to fasten together"), from com- + pangere ("to fix, fasten").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “compact” mean?
The word “compact” means taking up little space; neatly and efficiently arranged. In plain terms, small and efficiently packed (adjective), a formal agreement (noun), or to press tightly together (verb).
How do you pronounce “compact”?
“Compact” is pronounced KOM-pakt (/ˈkɑmˌpækt/ in IPA).
How do you use “compact” in a sentence?
Here is “compact” used in a sentence: “The apartment was small but compact, with clever built-in storage.”
What is another word for “compact”?
Words with a similar meaning to “compact” include close, crowded, dense, solid, thick and tight.
What is the opposite of “compact”?
The opposite of “compact” — its antonyms — are loose, diffuse, uncompact, noncompact and spaced out.
What part of speech is “compact”?
Depending on how it is used, “compact” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “compact” come from?
The word “compact” comes from Latin. From Latin compactum ("agreement"), from compingere ("to fasten together"), from com- + pangere ("to fix, fasten").
Is “compact” a common word?
“Compact” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between compact and small?
Small refers only to size, while compact adds the idea of being neatly and efficiently arranged. A compact apartment is not just little — its space is used cleverly, with nothing wasted. Because of this, compact often sounds more positive than small.
Why is compact stressed differently as a noun and a verb?
English often shifts stress to distinguish related nouns and verbs, and compact follows that pattern. The noun — a powder compact, an interstate compact — is stressed on the first syllable, COM-pact, while the verb meaning to press or pack tightly together is stressed on the second, com-PACT. The adjective is heard both ways.
What is the difference between a compact and a contract?
Both are formal agreements between two or more parties, but contract is the everyday legal term for a binding agreement, while compact is more formal and solemn. Compact is used especially for agreements between governments or states, as in an interstate compact.
What is a compact car?
A compact car is a small car designed to take up little road and parking space while still seating passengers comfortably. In American car classification and rental categories, compact names a size class between subcompact and mid-size.
