adaptive

[ uh-dap-tiv ]

/ əˈdæp tɪv /

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See synonyms for adaptive on Thesaurus.com

adjective

serving or able to adapt; showing or contributing to adaptation: the adaptive coloring of a chameleon.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of adaptive

First recorded in 1815–25; adapt + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM adaptive

a·dap·tive·ly, adverba·dap·tive·ness, nounad·ap·tiv·i·ty

[ad-ap-tiv-i-tee], /ˌæd æpˈtɪv ɪ ti/, nounnon·a·dap·tive, adjective

re·a·dap·tive, adjectivere·a·dap·tive·ly, adverbre·a·dap·tive·ness, nounun·a·dap·tive, adjectiveun·a·dap·tive·ly, adverbun·a·dap·tive·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH adaptive

adaptive , adoptive

Words nearby adaptive

adaptability, adaptable, adaptation, adapter, adaption, adaptive, adaptive optics, adaptive radiation, adaptogen, adaptogenic, adaptor

How to use adaptive in a sentence

The even darker side of smart is that competition doesn’t just select an ability to manipulate but also an adaptive ability to be unpredictable.
The Dark Side of Smart - Facts So Romantic|Diana Fleischman|September 15, 2020|Nautilus
Their specificity is related to their long-lasting effects, because vaccines engage the adaptive branch of the immune system — the B and T lymphocytes and antibodies that recognize a given pathogen.
‘Trained Immunity’ Offers Hope in Fight Against Coronavirus|Esther Landhuis|September 14, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Many of the gene losses involved traits that the animals no longer needed, but Hiller proposes that at least one loss was adaptive.
By Losing Genes, Life Often Evolved More Complexity|Viviane Callier|September 1, 2020|Quanta Magazine
There’s also a clever adaptive-suspension system, which uses a dozen sensors to scan the road then instantly make adjustments so the Aviator can glide smoothly over potholes.
Vehicles to ride out a pandemic|Joe Phillips|August 22, 2020|Washington Blade

In A Grand Journey, from Après Visuals, we get an intimate look into this adaptive athlete’s unique path to the summit.
An Adaptive Athlete and Her Home Mountain|Outside Editors|August 21, 2020|Outside Online
To see the adaptive benefits of depression, it helps to consider certain cruel but illuminating studies.
How Depression Could Save Your Life|Nick Romeo|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One sign that depression is an adaptive behavioral response is its widespread presence in the animal kingdom.
How Depression Could Save Your Life|Nick Romeo|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She loves to be outdoors,” Lori says, “She loves to swim and to ride her adaptive bike.
The Shutdown’s Human Cost: A Family’s Hopes at NIH Put on Hold|Michael Daly|October 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
What adaptive technology has been the most useful or important for you?
‘The Paralyzed Bride’ Talks Life & Sex as a 27-Year-Old Quadriplegic||February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
What area/tasks would you most like to see more adaptive technology developed for?
‘The Paralyzed Bride’ Talks Life & Sex as a 27-Year-Old Quadriplegic||February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Though the squirrels have taken to the trees, there has been no adaptive change in the structure of their limbs and feet.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
Those closely related to human infancy, adapting and adjusting the child to the world in which he lives, may be called adaptive.
The Science of Human Nature|William Henry Pyle
Their foreheads are meaner, and their eyes hard, but the whole face rather more adaptive and in touch with life.
Letters from America|Rupert Brooke
The adaptive or "special organising force" or ἰδέα, on the other hand, produces the diversity of organic 112beings.
Form and Function|E. S. (Edward Stuart) Russell
Somehow, the plague incubation period had been shortened to fit their life span; the disease was nothing if not adaptive.
Badge of Infamy|Lester del Rey