adapt

verb

ə-ˈdapt 

a-

adapted; adapting; adapts

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.

Synonyms

• acclimate
• acclimatize
• accommodate
• adjust
• condition
• conform
• doctor
• edit
• fashion
• fit
• put
• shape
• suit
• tailor

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

These insights can inform smarter business decisions and help adapt to changing industry dynamics. —Pete First, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

The good news here is that America adapts all the time to face security challenges. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

More than 30 years after illustrating Norton Juster's cult kids' book, Feiffer returned to the genre as an author, with books like 1993's The Man in the Ceiling (eventually adapted into a musical with Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller) and his 2010 re-teaming with Juster, The Odious Ogre. —Etelka Lehoczky, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025

Recently, Annapurna signed a deal that will see the company adapt the games Control and Alan Wake for the screen. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2025

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

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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