VocabauraVOCABAURA

compass

noun · verb

Simple meaning

A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

kuhmpuhs

Say the bold part a little louder.

US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈkʌmpəs

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

  1. A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).

  2. A pair of compasses (a device used to draw circular arcs and transfer length measurements).

  3. music

    The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.

  4. Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.

  5. formal

    Synonym of scope.

verb

  1. To surround; to encircle; to environ; to stretch round.

  2. Bring about; accomplish

    “This writer attempts more than his talents can compass.”

  3. To go about or round entirely; to traverse.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
B1 · Intermediate (estimated)
Frequency
Moderately Common
Typical Use
Varies by meaning

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).

Used this way, compass is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
Matter-of-fact
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use compass

  • “This writer attempts more than his talents can compass.”verb

Share your sentence

Write your own example sentence using “compass”. We review each one before it appears.

Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

compass needlemagnetic compassmoral compasscompass pointsmall compassnarrow compasswhole compassbrief compass

Tap the highlighted word to open its own entry.

Word Family

Related forms, grouped by how they connect.

Compound terms

Established multiword terms.

  • compass planenounCompound term

    A plane with a flexible face that can plane concave or convex surfaces.

  • compass plantnounCompound term

    North American annual with red or rose-colored flowers.

  • compass pointnounCompound term

    Any of 32 horizontal directions indicated on the card of a compass.

  • compass sawnounCompound term

    A handsaw with a narrow triangular blade for cutting curves.

  • compass cardnounCompound term

    Compass in the form of a card that rotates so that 0 degrees or North points to magnetic north.

  • compass flowernounCompound term

    Any of several plants having leaves so arranged on the axis as to indicate the cardinal points of the compass.

More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin

Synonyms

Sense: to surround

reach

Use This Word

See how this word sounds in a real sentence.

Ask Vocabaura

Understand the word your way.

What Does It Mean Here?

Words can change meaning depending on context.

Use it yourself

Knowing “compass” starts when you use it. Pick a next step, all free.

Know the meaning? Practice using it in a real situation, free, no credits.

Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.