Meanings
alternative forwards compatibility
- uncountablecomputer hardwareThe capability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems.First known use late 20th c.
1 more example
Forward compatibility of a mobile application describes an application that is developed in such a way that it fits with planned future versions of the same application. Forward compatibility generally implies that a dependent mobile system such as a mobile application designed for a particular OS [operating system] will function satisfactorily in the future version as well as in the present one.
2021, Mohamed Sarrab, Hafedh Al-Shihi, Naveen Safia, “Compatibility: How Does Mobile Application Interact with Environments?”, in Handbook of Mobile Application Development: A Guide to Selecting the Right Engineering and Quality Features, Singapore: Bentham Science Publishers, →ISBN, page 86Synonyms: upward compatibility
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe capability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems.
Origin
From forward (adjective) + compatibility (noun).
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Arabic توافقية مستقبلية
- توافقية مستقبليةcapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Catalan compatibilitat cap endavant
- compatibilitat cap endavantcapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Chinese Mandarin 前向兼容性
- 前向兼容性 (qiánxiàng jiānróngxìng)capability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Dutch voorwaartse compatibiliteit
- voorwaartse compatibiliteitcapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Finnish eteenpäin yhteensopivuus
- eteenpäin yhteensopivuuscapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
French compatibilité ascendante
- compatibilité ascendantecapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
German Aufwärtskompatibilität
- Aufwärtskompatibilitätcapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Japanese 前方互換性
- 前方互換性 (zenpōgokansei)capability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Korean 상위 호환성
- 상위 호환성 (sang'wi hohwanseong)capability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Māori hototahi whakamua
- hototahi whakamuacapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Norwegian Bokmål fremoverkompatibilitet
- fremoverkompatibilitetcapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Russian совмести́мость сни́зу вве́рх
- совмести́мость сни́зу вве́рх (sovmestímostʹ snízu vvérx)capability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Spanish compatibilidad hacia adelante
- compatibilidad hacia adelantecapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Swedish framåtkompabilitet
- framåtkompabilitetcapability of an electronic device, a piece of software, etc., to interoperate with anticipated future systems
Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with forward compatibility
Cite this entry
forward compatibility. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/forward%20compatibility
“forward compatibility.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/forward%20compatibility. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “forward compatibility,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/forward%20compatibility.
Source: forward compatibility on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.