compromise
KOMP-ruh-myz
Compromise (noun) means an agreement reached when each side gives up part of what it wants. Example: “Painting the room grey was a compromise between her taste and his.”
noun
1
An agreement reached when each side gives up part of what it wants.
"Painting the room grey was a compromise between her taste and his."
"Neither of us got everything we wanted, but the compromise seemed fair."
"After hours of negotiation, both sides reached a compromise."
verb
1
To settle a disagreement by each side making concessions.
"If we both compromise a little, we can find a holiday that suits everyone."
"The neighbours compromised by agreeing to trim the hedge only twice a year."
"They compromised on a start time that suited everyone."
2
To weaken or damage something, or expose it to risk.
"Cutting corners on safety checks could compromise the whole project and put workers at risk."
"The leak compromised the integrity of the entire structure."
"Hackers compromised the company's customer database."
How to use compromise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA middle-ground agreement, or to weaken/damage something (including a security breach).
Common pairings
reach a compromise
compromise security
willing to compromise
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Word forms
- Plural
- compromises
- Third person singular
- compromises
- Past tense
- compromised
Fill the gap
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Painting the room grey was a _____ between her taste and his.
Etymology
From Latin compromissum, "a mutual promise to accept an arbiter's decision," from com- ("together") + promittere ("to promise").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for compromise
See all rhymes for compromise →Frequently asked questions
What does “compromise” mean?
The word “compromise” means an agreement reached when each side gives up part of what it wants. In plain terms, a middle-ground agreement, or to weaken/damage something (including a security breach).
How do you pronounce “compromise”?
“Compromise” is pronounced KOMP-ruh-myz (/ˈkɑmpɹəˌmaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “compromise” in a sentence?
Here is “compromise” used in a sentence: “After hours of negotiation, both sides reached a compromise.”
What part of speech is “compromise”?
Depending on how it is used, “compromise” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “compromise” come from?
The word “compromise” comes from Latin. From Latin compromissum, "a mutual promise to accept an arbiter's decision," from com- ("together") + promittere ("to promise").
Is “compromise” a common word?
“Compromise” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “compromise” have?
“Compromise” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an agreement reached when each side gives up part of what it wants.
What is the difference between a compromise and a consensus?
A compromise is an agreement reached when each side gives up part of what it wants, so no one gets everything. A consensus is a position that everyone can genuinely accept and support, often reached through discussion rather than mutual concession. A compromise settles a dispute by trade-offs, while consensus seeks broad agreement.
Is compromise a noun or a verb?
Compromise can be both. As a noun it names the agreement itself, as in 'they reached a compromise'. As a verb it describes the act of settling a disagreement through concessions, as in 'both sides had to compromise'.
What is the difference between compromise and sacrifice?
In a compromise, each side gives up part of what it wants so that both gain something from the agreement. A sacrifice involves giving something up without a matching concession from the other side, often for a larger goal. Compromise is mutual; sacrifice can be one-sided.
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