adaptable

American  

[uh-dap-tuh-buhl] / əˈdæp tə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being adapted.

2. able to adjust oneself readily to different conditions.

   an adaptable person.

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Other Word Forms

• adaptability noun
• adaptableness noun
• nonadaptable adjective
• readaptable adjective
• superadaptable adjective
• superadaptably adverb
• unadaptable adjective

Etymology

Origin of adaptable

First recorded in 1790–1800; adapt + -able

Explanation

Something that is adaptable can change to fit its environment, whether that environment is natural or social. The level to which a species is adaptable to changing surroundings is an important factor in the study of evolution. Let’s look at the Latin word adaptāre, from the root aptus "fitted." The ad- means "to, while the aptare means "join." Since 15th-century medieval French, the word adapt has come to mean "to fit in or adjust." So something adaptable is something that "fits in or adjusts." An example of an adaptable creature is the arctic fox, whose fur changes from dirt-dark in summer to snow-white in winter, to better blend in with its surroundings.

Example Sentences

Chicken, however, is omnipresent — the quiet overachiever of the protein world, endlessly adaptable and perennially in demand.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

These organisms are highly adaptable, living in extreme conditions ranging from hot springs to the Arctic, as well as on surfaces like roofs and walls in cities.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

While some adaptable species have increased, those reliant on specific habitats such as woodland or chalk grassland are struggling.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

According to the researchers, this separation of roles helps explain why human memory is so adaptable.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

Once life originates, it tends to be very adaptable and tenacious.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• compliant
• flexible
• malleable
• resilient
• versatile