adapter
Americannoun
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adapters
plural
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a person or thing that adapts.
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a connector for joining parts or devices having different sizes, designs, etc., enabling them to be fitted or to work together.
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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.
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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.
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an accessory to convert a machine, tool, or part to a new or modified use.
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Computers.
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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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of adapter
Explanation
When you have two pieces of equipment that can't be connected directly, you may need an adapter to plug one into another. You might need an adapter to connect your cellphone to a computer. Computers, televisions, and cameras are just some of the devices that often require adapters to be charged or used in different ways. One common kind of adapter makes it possible to put a two-pronged plug into an outlet with three holes. A different way to use the word adapter is for a person who changes — or adapts — one work of art to fit in a different medium, like an adapter who writes an opera based on a comic book.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Mr. Armitage writes with a poet’s mastery of rhythm and rupture, refusing both the sterile fidelity of the scholar and the vulgar opportunism of the adapter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
"We call it the universal adapter," Schultheiß explains.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 27, 2026
"There was an adapter charging system - full of chargers - and the fire comes out of that."
From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2026
The most practical option was an old-school corded phone and a cellular-to-landline adapter.
From Slate ● Jan. 27, 2026
The power adapter was there but no laptop.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
These adapters still need some heft for thermal management.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
If not, adapters are available for less than £10.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2025
Some other brands have created snap-on adapters to give or sell to their customers for Supercharger access.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 2, 2024
Whatever your opinions of that series — and there are plenty — it laid out the duo’s strengths as adapters and their weaknesses as creators of original material.
From New York Times ● Mar. 20, 2024
It was not until well into the fifteenth century that the long and numerous line of imitators, translators, adapters, parodists, commentators, editors, and publishers began, which has continued to the present day.
From Horace and His Influence by Grant Showerman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
