compromis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; widely used across contexts.
Quick answer
What does “compromis” mean?
An agreement reached by both sides making concessions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An agreement reached by both sides making concessions; a middle way between conflicting positions.
1) To settle a dispute by mutual concession. 2) To accept standards lower than is desirable. 3) To expose something or someone to risk, danger, or suspicion. 4) In computing/security: to breach the security of a system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Spelling is identical. The verb sense 'to bring into disrepute or danger' is slightly more frequent in American legal/security contexts.
Connotations
UK: Slightly stronger historical association with political settlement. US: Stronger association with personal relationships and cybersecurity.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, with comparable usage.
Grammar
How to Use “compromis” in a Sentence
compromise with someone on somethingcompromise between X and Ycompromise over/on an issuecompromise one's principles/integritycompromise a systemVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “compromis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Neither party would compromise on the core issue.
- The leaked emails compromised the minister's position.
- We compromised by agreeing to share the costs.
American English
- The senator refused to compromise with the opposition.
- The data breach compromised millions of accounts.
- They compromised on a price halfway between their offers.
adverb
British English
- The bill was passed compromiseably, with amendments from both sides. (Rare/Formal)
American English
- They settled the lawsuit compromiseably. (Rare/Formal)
adjective
British English
- A compromise deal was finally put on the table.
- This is very much a compromise solution.
American English
- She was selected as a compromise candidate.
- We reached a compromise agreement after hours of talks.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential for negotiations, contract talks, and conflict resolution between departments.
Academic
Used in political science, ethics, and conflict resolution studies. Can be a technical term in security studies.
Everyday
Common in discussions about relationships, parenting, household decisions, and neighbourhood disputes.
Technical
In cybersecurity: 'The network was compromised.' In engineering: 'design compromise' (balancing competing requirements).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “compromis”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “compromis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “compromis”
- Using 'compromise' always negatively ('He compromised his values'). Remember the positive sense ('We found a good compromise').
- Misspelling as 'compromize' or 'compramise'.
- Using 'compromise between' incorrectly without two clear parties/positions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. In conflict resolution, it's positive (pragmatic). When discussing principles or security, it's negative (weakening, breaching).
A 'settlement' ends a dispute, possibly through imposition or full concession. A 'compromise' specifically implies mutual concessions from all parties.
Yes. 'We reached a compromise.' (countable) It can also be uncountable: 'Politics is the art of compromise.'
The direct adjective is 'compromise' (a compromise deal). 'Compromising' is a participle adjective (compromising situation). 'Compromisable' is rare.
An agreement reached by both sides making concessions.
Compromis is usually neutral to formal; widely used across contexts. in register.
Compromis: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a compromise candidate”
- “strike a compromise”
- “without compromise”
- “meet someone halfway”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of COMMON + PROMISE. A compromise is a common promise that both sides can agree to.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS A TUG OF WAR; COMPROMISE IS MEETING IN THE MIDDLE. / PRINCIPLES ARE STRUCTURES; COMPROMISING IS WEAKENING THE STRUCTURE.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'compromise' in the sense of 'putting at risk'?