adapt

verb

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.

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.
Adaptability And Resilience The technology landscape is constantly evolving, and IT leaders must be able to embrace change and adapt to new challenges. Abdulwahab Mohammed, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 It’s done so because as the sport has changed, programs such as Ohio State and Oregon have done the best job adjusting to those changes, while programs like Alabama and Georgia have tried to adapt versions of their old model for success into the new world of college football. David Ubben, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 Many small business owners have been able to adapt as well, when their bank can show flexibility. Elliot Raphaelson, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025 Kip Williams adapts and directs a live-feed-video-heavy production that began its life at Sydney Theatre Company, and Snook wears one hell of a blonde pompadour as, among other characters, the superfox whose horrible aging portrait is locked away in an attic. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025 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

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Dictionary Entries Near adapt

Cite this Entry

“Adapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adapt. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

adapt

verb
: 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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on adapt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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