compromise

noun

/ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/

/ˈkɑːmprəmaɪz/

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[countable] an agreement made between two people or groups in which each side gives up some of the things they want so that both sides are happy at the end
- After lengthy talks the two sides finally reached a compromise.
- In any relationship, you have to make compromises.
- a compromise solution/agreement/candidate
Extra Examples
- After much discussion, she offered a compromise.
- He might be an attractive compromise candidate if both sides' first choices are rejected.
- I'm not making any more compromises.
- It is best to try to seek a compromise rather than a perfect solution.
- They came to a compromise over the exact amount to be paid.
- They're still trying to work out an acceptable compromise.
Topics Discussion and agreementc1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- acceptable
- fair
- good
- …
verb + compromise
- agree on
- arrive at
- come to
- …
compromise + noun
- agreement
- deal
- formula
- …
preposition
- compromise between
- compromise on
- compromise over
- …
See full entry
[countable] compromise (between A and B) a solution to a problem in which two or more things cannot exist together as they are, in which each thing is reduced or changed slightly so that they can exist together
- This model represents the best compromise between price and quality.
- It was a fair compromise between the two sides.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- acceptable
- fair
- good
- …
verb + compromise
- agree on
- arrive at
- come to
- …
compromise + noun
- agreement
- deal
- formula
- …
preposition
- compromise between
- compromise on
- compromise over
- …
See full entry
[uncountable] the act of reaching a compromise
- Compromise is an inevitable part of life.
- There is no prospect of compromise in sight.
- There could be no compromise with the nationalists.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- acceptable
- fair
- good
- …
verb + compromise
- agree on
- arrive at
- come to
- …
compromise + noun
- agreement
- deal
- formula
- …
preposition
- compromise between
- compromise on
- compromise over
- …
See full entry

Word Originlate Middle English (denoting mutual consent to arbitration): from Old French compromis, from late Latin compromissum ‘a consent to arbitration’, neuter past participle of compromittere, from com- ‘together’ + promittere ‘put forth, promise’, from pro- ‘forward’ + mittere ‘send’.

compromise

verb

/ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/

/ˈkɑːmprəmaɪz/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they compromise	/ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/ /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪz/
he / she / it compromises	/ˈkɒmprəmaɪzɪz/ /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪzɪz/
past simple compromised	/ˈkɒmprəmaɪzd/ /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪzd/
past participle compromised	/ˈkɒmprəmaɪzd/ /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪzd/
-ing form compromising	/ˈkɒmprəmaɪzɪŋ/ /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪzɪŋ/

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[intransitive] to give up some of your demands in order to reach an agreement after disagreeing with somebody
- Neither side is prepared to compromise.
- compromise (with somebody) (on something) After much argument, the judges finally compromised on (= agreed to give the prize to) the 18-year old pianist.
- They were unwilling to compromise with the terrorists.
Extra Examples
- He wanted his own way and refused to compromise.
- They debated whether to compromise with the opposition parties.
- Unions and management seem ready to compromise on the level of the increase.
Topics Discussion and agreementc1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verb + compromise
- be prepared to
- be ready to
- refuse to
- …
preposition
- on
- with
See full entry
[transitive, intransitive] to do something that is against your principles or does not reach standards that you have set
- compromise something I refuse to compromise my principles.
- compromise (on something) We are not prepared to compromise on safety standards.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verb + compromise
- be prepared to
- be ready to
- refuse to
- …
preposition
- on
- with
See full entry
[transitive] compromise somebody/something/yourself to cause somebody/something/yourself to be in danger or to be suspected of something, especially by acting in a way that is not very sensible
- She had already compromised herself by accepting his invitation.
- Defeat at this stage would compromise their chances (= reduce their chances) of reaching the finals of the competition.
- The affair seriously compromised the party's prospects of electoral success.
Topics Dangerc1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- fatally
- seriously
- severely
- …
verb + compromise
- be prepared to
- be ready to
- refuse to
- …
preposition
- on
See full entry
[transitive] compromise something to cause something to be in danger of attack or of working less well
- Users perform tasks every day that can compromise the security of their computers.
- Alcohol and drug abuse can compromise your health, not to mention your life.