adaptive

[ uh-dap-tiv ]

/ əˈdæp tɪv /

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adjective

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of adaptive

First recorded in 1815–25; adapt + -ive

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

adaptive , adoptive

Adaptiveness—Let each dress worn by a lady be suitable to the occasion upon which she wears it.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
In all the changes she had learned to be content, and she had a certain adaptiveness that kept her from being unhappy.
A Little Girl in Old Boston|Amanda Millie Douglas
The child, with her many changes and gentle nature, had developed a certain tact or adaptiveness, and loved pleasantness.
A Little Girl in Old Boston|Amanda Millie Douglas
In this human task of securing adaptation and retaining adaptiveness the life sciences have high rank.
College Teaching|Paul Klapper

With all his extraordinary adaptiveness, he stands in many respects in sharpest contrast to his environment.
Sketches In The House (1893)|T. P. O'Connor