adapt
uh-DAPT
Adapt (verb) means to change something so it becomes suitable for a new purpose or situation. Example: “The teacher adapted the lesson so younger children could follow it.”
verb
1
To change something so it becomes suitable for a new purpose or situation.
"The teacher adapted the lesson so younger children could follow it."
"We adapted the old barn into a small studio for painting."
"The recipe was adapted to use fewer eggs."
2
To adjust oneself to new conditions.
"Moving abroad was hard, but the children adapted within a few weeks."
"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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
adapt to
adapt quickly
adapt a script
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- adapts
- Past tense
- adapted
- Comparative
- more adapt
- Superlative
- most adapt
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The teacher _____ the lesson so younger children could follow it.
Etymology
From Latin adaptare ("to fit to"), from ad- ("to") plus aptare ("to make fit"), from aptus ("fit, suitable").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “adapt” mean?
The word “adapt” means to change something so it becomes suitable for a new purpose or situation. In plain terms, to change or adjust something — or yourself — to suit new circumstances.
How do you pronounce “adapt”?
“Adapt” is pronounced uh-DAPT (/əˈdæpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “adapt” in a sentence?
Here is “adapt” used in a sentence: “The recipe was adapted to use fewer eggs.”
What part of speech is “adapt”?
“Adapt” is a verb.
Where does the word “adapt” come from?
The word “adapt” comes from Latin. From Latin adaptare ("to fit to"), from ad- ("to") plus aptare ("to make fit"), from aptus ("fit, suitable").
Is “adapt” a common word?
“Adapt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “adapt” have?
“Adapt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to change something so it becomes suitable for a new purpose or situation.
What is the difference between adapt and adopt?
To adapt is to change something, or change yourself, to suit new conditions: 'the recipe was adapted for vegans.' To adopt is to take something up as your own — a child, a policy, a habit — without changing it. Only one letter separates the spellings, which is why the two are so often confused.
Is it 'adapt to' or 'adapt for'?
Use adapt to when someone adjusts to new conditions: 'they adapted to the cold climate.' Use adapt for when something is changed to suit a new purpose or audience: 'the novel was adapted for television.' Both are correct; the preposition depends on the meaning.
What is the difference between adapt and adjust?
Both mean to change to fit circumstances, but adjust usually suggests small, fine-tuning changes, while adapt implies a more substantial change to suit a genuinely new purpose or situation. You adjust a mirror; you adapt a novel into a screenplay.
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