apt

¹

[ apt ]

adjective

1. inclined; disposed; given; prone:

   too apt to slander others.

   Synonyms: liable

2. likely:

   Am I apt to find him at home?

3. unusually intelligent; able to learn quickly and easily:

   an apt pupil.

   Synonyms: skillful, dexterous, adroit, handy, adaptable, bright, clever

4. suited to the purpose or occasion; appropriate:

   an apt metaphor; a few apt remarks on world peace.

   Synonyms: felicitous, germane, meet, fitting

5. Archaic. prepared; ready; willing.

apt.

²

abbreviation for

, plural apts.

1. apartment ( def 1 ).

apt

¹

/ æpt /

adjective

1. suitable for the circumstance or purpose; appropriate
2. postpositive; foll by an infinitive having a tendency (to behave as specified)
3. having the ability to learn and understand easily; clever (esp in the phrase an apt pupil )

apt.

²

abbreviation for

1. apartment

Usage Note

Some usage guides insist that apt followed by an infinitive can or should be used to mean only “inclined, disposed”: He is apt to ignore matters he regards as unimportant. In fact, apt is standard in all varieties of speech and writing as a synonym for likely in contexts that suggest probability without any implication of a natural disposition toward: Hostilities are apt to break out if the confrontation is not soon resolved. She is apt to arrive almost any time now. liable, likely.

Derived Forms

• ˈaptness, noun
• ˈaptly, adverb

Other Words From

• apt·ly adverb
• apt·ness noun
• o·ver·apt adjective
• o·ver·apt·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apt¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin aptus “fastened, fitted, fitting, appropriate,” equivalent to ap(ere) “fasten, attach” + -tus past participle suffix

Origin of apt²

First recorded in 1900–05

Word History and Origins

Origin of apt¹

C14: from Latin aptus fitting, suitable, from apere to fasten

Synonym Study

Apt, pertinent, relevant all refer to something suitable or fitting. Apt means to the point and particularly appropriate: an apt comment. Pertinent means pertaining to the matter in hand: a pertinent remark. Relevant means directly related to and important to the subject: a relevant opinion.

Example Sentences

But in recent days, I've found Sarah Palin an even more apt comparison.

From The Daily Beast

Today, it's our governing elites, regardless of party, who are most apt rush us into the future.

From The Daily Beast

Experts we talked to said the comparison between Goodell and law enforcement may not necessarily be apt.

From The Daily Beast

The compilation also brought the Nazi-riffic Apt Pupil and leach-tastic The Body (aka Stand By Me) to the silver screen.

From The Daily Beast

Their timing is apt: The medical examiner is now a hot commodity in TV-land.

From The Daily Beast

We are apt to think of these little ones as doing right only when under compulsion: but this is far from the truth.

From Project Gutenberg

Those of a more serious turn are apt to show a curious preference for the graver aspects of things.

From Project Gutenberg

In this country, we are apt to think when any one dresses himself up, that he is disguising a fool.

From Project Gutenberg

In conversation their minds are apt to remain in a recipient passive state.

From Project Gutenberg

But Bull in authority anywhere is apt to exhibit his horns to those whom he suspects of being nobodies.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appropriate
• apropos
• correct
• felicitous
• fitting
• happy
• relevant
• suitable