compact

Language: en

1. 🇬🇧 /ˈkɒm.pækt/ 🇺🇸 /ˈkɑːm.pækt/
2. 🇬🇧 /kəmˈpækt/ 🇺🇸 /kəmˈpækt/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Closely and firmly packed together; dense.; Taking up little space; small and conveniently arranged.; Brief and concise in expression; using few words.; Having a stocky, solidly built body; not tall or slender.
  2. noun
    A formal agreement or contract between two or more parties, especially between states or nations.; A small flat case containing face powder and a mirror, used for applying makeup.; A small car, especially one that is smaller than a standard sedan.
  3. verb
    To press or squeeze together so as to make more dense or solid.; To make something smaller or more concise; to condense.; To combine or unite into a single mass or body.
  4. noun
    A cosmetic powder in a small flat case, often with a puff or brush.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: compacts 3rd sing.: compacts Past: compacted Past part.: compacted Pres part.: compacting Comparative: more compact Superlative: most compact

Collocations

compact carcompact disccompact powdersocial compactcompact agreementcompact size

Derivatives

compactlycompactnesscompactioncompactordecompact

Synonyms

densecompressedcondensedconcisetersecovenant

Antonyms

spaciouslooseexpandedverbose

Commonly confused

contract
EN: 'Contract' is a legally binding agreement between parties; 'compact' as an agreement is more formal/literary and often refers to a broader social or political covenant.
compress
EN: 'Compress' emphasizes reducing volume by pressure; 'compact' emphasizes making something denser and more tightly packed, often with a result that is neat and efficient.

Spelling tips

EN: Note the stress shift: the adjective and noun are stressed on the second syllable (com-PACT), while the verb is often stressed on the first syllable (COM-pact).

💬 Examples

  1. The soil was compact and difficult to dig through.

  2. She bought a compact camera for traveling.

  3. He gave a compact summary of the entire report.

  4. The wrestler had a compact, muscular frame.

  5. The Mayflower Compact was signed by the Pilgrims in 1620.

  6. She opened her compact to touch up her lipstick.

  7. He drives a compact to save on fuel costs.

  8. The machine compacts the trash into small cubes.

  9. The editor compacted the article from ten pages to three.

  10. The data was compacted into a single file for easier storage.