adapt

[uh-dapt]

verb (used with object)

1. to make suitable to requirements or conditions; adjust or modify fittingly.

   They adapted themselves to the change quickly.

   He adapted the novel for movies.

   Synonyms: convert, rework, modify, conform, reconcile, suit, accommodate, fit

verb (used without object)

1. to adjust oneself to different conditions, environment, etc..

   to adapt easily to all circumstances.

adapt

/ əˈdæpt /

verb

1. (often foll by to) to adjust (someone or something, esp oneself) to different conditions, a new environment, etc

2. (tr) to fit, change, or modify to suit a new or different purpose

   to adapt a play for use in schools

Other Word Forms

• adaptability noun
• adaptable adjective
• adaptive adjective
• adaptedness noun
• misadapt verb
• nonadapting adjective
• readapt verb (used with object)
• unadapted adjective
• well-adapted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adapt¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin adaptāre “to fit, adjust,” perhaps via French adapter; ad-, apt

Word History and Origins

Origin of adapt¹

C17: from Latin adaptāre, from ad- to + aptāre to fit, from aptus _apt

Synonym Study

See adjust.

Example Sentences

To adapt, clubs often travel with portable screens in flight cases, ensuring their set-up is the same irrespective of which changing room or hotel they hold their meetings in.

From BBC

"I'm a lover of good football, but you have to adapt to the players you have."

From BBC

Marine One and Marine Two are specially adapted aircraft known as "white tops" because of their livery.

From BBC

She wrote about 10,000 words before deciding to adapt the text into prose that she could speak out loud in front of an audience.

From Los Angeles Times

Democrats have also failed to adapt to the new reality that America is a failing democracy which is rapidly collapsing into a state of competitive authoritarianism.

From Salon

Related Words

• acclimate 
• accommodate 
• accustom 
• alter 
• comply 
• conform 
• fit 
• modify 
• prepare 
• readjust 
• revise 
• shape 
• suit 
• tailor