adapt

verb

ə-ˈdapt

adapted; adapting; adapts

Synonyms of adapt next

transitive verb

: to make fit (as for a new use) often by modification

adapt the curriculum to students' needs

intransitive verb

: to become adapted

adapt to a new environment

Did you know?

"Nothing in this world is as reliable as change" is a common aphorism and one we can certainly attest to as lexicographers. English speakers adapted adapt, for example, in the 15th century from the Middle French adapter, which was itself an adaptation of Latin adaptāre. That source traces back to Latin aptus, meaning "fit" or "apt." Other adaptations of aptus in English include aptitude, inept, and of course apt itself, as well as unapt and inapt.

Choose the Right Synonym for adapt

adapt, adjust, accommodate, conform, reconcile mean to bring one thing into correspondence with another.

adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

adapted themselves to the warmer climate

adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

businesses accommodating themselves to the new political reality

conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

refused to conform to society's values

reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

Examples of adapt in a Sentence

When children go to a different school, it usually takes them a while to adapt. She has adapted herself to college life quite easily. The camera has been adapted for underwater use. The clock was adapted to run on batteries. The movie was adapted from the book of the same title. adapting the movie for television

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Children and adolescents are not miniature adults, and not all young people will adapt to a strength training program the same way. —

Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024 Despite Murray’s insufficient scoring game on a night the Nuggets probably needed more from their second option, Adelman was happy with how Murray adapted to New Orleans’ gameplan, blitzing him on ball screens all night. —

Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024 None of this to say that characters aren’t allowed to grow, adapt, or change. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024 Storied actor Denzel Washington has taken on the project of adapting August Wilson’s cycle of 10 plays that portray slices of Black life in each decade of the 1900s. —

Ronda Racha Penrice, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for adapt

Word History

Etymology

Middle English adapted (as translation of Latin adaptātus), borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adapter, borrowed from Latin adaptāre, from ad- ad- + aptāre "to put into position, bring to bear, make ready," verbal derivative of aptus "fastened, prepared, suitable" — more at apt entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler

The first known use of adapt was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Adapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adapt. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

adapt

verb

ə-ˈdapt

: to make or become suitable

especially : to change so as to fit a new or specific use or situation

adapt to life in a new school

adapt the novel for children

adaptability

-ˌdap-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

adaptable

-ˈdap-tə-bəl

adjective

Etymology

from French adapter and Latin adaptare, both meaning "to adapt," from Latin ad- "to" and aptus "apt, fit" — related to apt

Medical Definition

adapt

transitive verb

ə-ˈdapt

: to make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation) often by modification

adapted himself to the new position

intransitive verb

: to become adapted : undergo adaptation

Last Updated: 19 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

paroxysm

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

adapt

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Examples of adapt in a Sentence

Word History

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near adapt

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition