adjective
Uncommon
adaptive
uh-DAP-tihv
Adaptive (adjective) means Able to adjust or change in response to new conditions. Example: “The app has an adaptive interface that rearranges itself based on how you use it.”
adjective
1
Able to adjust or change in response to new conditions.
"The app has an adaptive interface that rearranges itself based on how you use it."
"Adaptive behavior helped the species survive a changing climate."
How to use adaptive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something that changes or adjusts in a useful way in response to its situation.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "adaptable," which describes a general capacity to change — "adaptive" more often describes something actively adjusting in the moment, like adaptive technology or adaptive behavior.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
adaptive technology
adaptive behavior
adaptive learning
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more adaptive
- Superlative
- most adaptive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The app has an _____ interface that rearranges itself based on how you use it.
Etymology
From adapt plus the suffix -ive.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for adaptive
See all rhymes for adaptive →Frequently asked questions
What does “adaptive” mean?
The word “adaptive” means able to adjust or change in response to new conditions. In plain terms, describes something that changes or adjusts in a useful way in response to its situation.
How do you pronounce “adaptive”?
“Adaptive” is pronounced uh-DAP-tihv (/əˈdæp.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “adaptive” in a sentence?
Here is “adaptive” used in a sentence: “The app has an adaptive interface that rearranges itself based on how you use it.”
What is another word for “adaptive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “adaptive” include adaptative.
What is the opposite of “adaptive”?
The opposite of “adaptive” — its antonyms — is maladaptive.
What part of speech is “adaptive”?
“Adaptive” is an adjective.
Is “adaptive” a common word?
“Adaptive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "adaptive" and "adaptative"?
Both words describe the ability to adjust to new conditions and are generally interchangeable, but "adaptive" is by far the more common and widely used form in modern English, while "adaptative" is a rarer variant.
What is the difference between "adaptive" and "flexible"?
"Flexible" broadly describes something willing or able to change or bend, while "adaptive" specifically describes the ability to adjust or change in response to new conditions. "Adaptive" therefore emphasizes a response to changing circumstances rather than general willingness to change.
How is "adaptive" different from "adjustable"?
"Adjustable" usually describes a physical object that can be manually changed, such as an adjustable chair, whereas "adaptive" describes a broader capacity of a system, organism, or behavior to change in response to new conditions on its own.
