la polyvalence
versatility
Definition & meaning
Polyvalence refers to the capacity of a person or a thing to fulfill several functions, to occupy several roles, or to possess multiple skills.
- In a professional context, it describes the ability of an employee to perform various tasks or master different areas of expertise.
- In a technical or scientific context (such as chemistry), it refers to the property of an atom or a molecule to combine with several other atoms or groups, or the ability of a material to be used in various applications.
Grammar & Word origin
The word polyvalence is a feminine noun.
It is formed by the combination of two parts:
- Poly-: From the Greek polus, meaning "many" or "multiple."
- -valence: From the Latin valentia, meaning "strength," "capacity," or "value," derived from the verb valere (to be worth/to be strong).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Multicompétence polyvalence
- Polycompétence polyvalence
- Polyvalence polyvalence (in some contexts, adaptabilité)
- Versatilité polyvalence
Antonyms:
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Examples
Sa polyvalence lui permet d'occuper plusieurs postes.noun
Her versatility allows her to hold several positions.
Recherchez-vous la polyvalence pour ce nouveau métier ?noun
Are you looking for versatility for this new job?
On appréciait autrefois la polyvalence des artisans locaux.noun
People used to appreciate the versatility of local artisans.
Certains outils surprennent par leur grande polyvalence.Word type unavailable
Some tools surprise with their great versatility.
Je doute que cette machine manque de polyvalence.Word type unavailable
I doubt that this machine lacks versatility.
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