adaptability

American  

[uh-dap-tuh-bil-i-tee] / əˌdæp təˈbɪl ɪ ti /

Rarely adaptableness

noun

• adaptabilities
  plural

1. the ability to adjust to different conditions or circumstances.

   Educational institutions are switching to the new software because of its flexibility, adaptability, and ease of use.

   Critical thinking skills and emotional and intellectual adaptability are essential characteristics of an educated citizenry.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonadaptability
  noun
• nonadaptableness
  noun
• readaptability
  noun
• superadaptableness
  noun
• unadaptability
  noun
• unadaptableness
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• adaptabilities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of adaptability

adapt ( def. ) + -ability ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does adaptability compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• adaptability vs. flexibility

Explanation

If someone is equally able to live on an iceberg, in a desert, and on top of a mountain, you could say that she has a lot of adaptability. This means she is able to make changes in response to her environment. The ability to adapt, or adaptability, is a great quality to have if you are an employee of a company that is going through a lot of changes or if you are an animal in nature, having to weather different seasons, or climate changes. You could say that some chameleons, which change color to blend into their surroundings, have a high level of adaptability.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adaptability adaptabilities

The point of the monetary reward is to build on all the skills being taught, and reward things like adaptability, innovation and judgment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

But the firm’s U.S. division wants to recognize employees with uniquely human skills like critical thinking, adaptability and judgment—things EY says matter most to its future and clients.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

What Howe was criticised for towards the end of his tenure was a supposed lack of adaptability.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

That lack of adaptability increases the complexity of optical communication hardware and data center infrastructure.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

Changing economics and demographics require flexibility and adaptability.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

As WPA extends from storm sewers to nursery schools, so the interests and adaptabilities of Harry Lloyd Hopkins are equally diverse.

From Time Magazine Archive

With her quick perceptions and adaptabilities she would soon learn to care more about the quality of the reflecting surface; and meanwhile no criticism of his should mar her pleasure.

From The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton

The text has been revised and, where necessary, rewritten, and is superior to the editions now current both in literary excellence and in the valuable desideratum of "accents" and other adaptabilities to musical utterance.

From Martha or, The Fair at Richmond by Friedrich von Flotow

He had all the physical adaptabilities of a nurse—a large, tender touch, a low persuasive voice, pliant yet unhesitating limbs, and broad, well-cushioned surfaces.

From Gabriel Conroy by Bert Harte

So also in the adaptabilities and the conveniences of life, in its versatilities and in its enjoyments.

From The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Volume II by Burton Jesse Hendrick

Related Words

• flexibility
• versatility