adjective

compact

KOM-pakt

adjective

Taking up little space; neatly and efficiently arranged.

"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

A formal agreement between two or more parties.

"The two nations signed a compact promising mutual defense."

A small case containing face powder, often with a mirror.

"She checked her makeup in her compact before the meeting."

verb

To press or pack something tightly together.

"The machine compacts the soil before the foundation is laid."

How to Use Compact

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSmall and efficiently packed (adjective), a formal agreement (noun), or to press tightly together (verb).

Common pairings

compact car compact design social compact

Word Forms

more compact comparative, compacter comparative, compacted past tense, compacted past tense, compacts plural, compacts plural, compacts singular, compacts singular, most compact superlative, compactest superlative

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The apartment was small but _____, with clever built-in storage.

Etymology

From Latin compactum ("agreement"), from compingere ("to fasten together"), from com- + pangere ("to fix, fasten").

Synonyms

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close crowded dense solid thick tight condense

Antonyms

loose diffuse uncompact noncompact spaced out spread out

Related Words

meticulous thin close finish thick good overweight loose

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