verb
adapt
uh-DAPT
verb
1
To change something so it becomes suitable for a new purpose or situation.
"The recipe was adapted to use fewer eggs."
2
To adjust oneself to new conditions.
"The plants adapted quickly to the drier climate."
"It took a while for her to adapt to the new time zone."
How to Use Adapt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo change or adjust something — or yourself — to suit new circumstances.
Common pairings
adapt to
adapt quickly
adapt a script
Word Forms
more adapt comparative, adapted past tense, adapts singular, most adapt superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “adapt”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The recipe was _____ to use fewer eggs.
Etymology
From Latin adaptare ("to fit to"), from ad- ("to") plus aptare ("to make fit"), from aptus ("fit, suitable").