adapter

Or a·dap·tor

[uh-dap-ter]

noun

1. a person or thing that adapts.

2. 1. a connector for joining parts or devices having different sizes, designs, etc., enabling them to be fitted or to work together.

   2. Also called adapter plug. Also called plug adapter,. a device that connects an electrical plug to an outlet that has a different plug shape.

      Last time I traveled, I brought the wrong adapter.

   3. Also called power adapter. Also called AC adapter,. a device with a cord that plugs into an electrical outlet and functions as an external power supply for a small or portable electronic device, usually converting AC current to DC.

      I forgot to plug in the adapter, and my laptop died.

3. an accessory to convert a machine, tool, or part to a new or modified use.

4. Computers.

   1. expansion card.

   2. an external device containing the necessary circuitry to connect to or work with another device or system.

      a network adapter;

      a wireless adapter;

      a video adapter.

Other Word Forms

• nonadapter noun
• nonadaptor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adapter¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; adapt + -er ¹

Example Sentences

There’s a joke on TikTok that one person in every group is the “digital camera friend,” wrangling everyone for photos and handling SD cards and adapters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If not, adapters are available for less than £10.

Read more on BBC

Mantle used adapters to fit various other lenses onto the phones, including a telescope.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Nintendo Switch 2 console has officially been released, as retailers opened their doors at midnight — 9 p.m. here on the West Coast — to welcome early adapters and die-hard fans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Though O’Mara served for a time on the staff of Vice President Al Gore, an early techie adapter and one of Silicon Valley’s strongest political allies, she didn’t work on tech policy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• connection