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• apt
  apt

  adjective

  inclined; disposed; given; prone.
• apt.
  apt.

  abbreviation

  apartment.

apt

¹ American  

[apt] / æpt /

adjective

1. inclined; disposed; given; prone.

   too apt to slander others.

   Synonyms:

   liable

2. likely.

   Am I apt to find him at home?

3. unusually intelligent; able to learn quickly and easily.

   an apt pupil.

   Synonyms:

   skillful, dexterous, adroit, handy, adaptable, bright, clever

4. suited to the purpose or occasion; appropriate.

   an apt metaphor; a few apt remarks on world peace.

   Synonyms:

   felicitous, germane, meet, fitting

5. Archaic. prepared; ready; willing.

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apt. ² American  

abbreviation

apts plural

1. apartment.

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apt ¹ British  

/ æpt /

adjective

1. suitable for the circumstance or purpose; appropriate

2. (postpositive; foll by an infinitive) having a tendency (to behave as specified)

3. having the ability to learn and understand easily; clever (esp in the phrase an apt pupil )

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apt. ² British  

abbreviation

1. apartment

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Usage

Some usage guides insist that apt followed by an infinitive can or should be used to mean only “inclined, disposed”: He is apt to ignore matters he regards as unimportant. In fact, apt is standard in all varieties of speech and writing as a synonym for likely in contexts that suggest probability without any implication of a natural disposition toward: Hostilities are apt to break out if the confrontation is not soon resolved. She is apt to arrive almost any time now. See also liable, likely.

Related Words

Apt, pertinent, relevant all refer to something suitable or fitting. Apt means to the point and particularly appropriate: an apt comment. Pertinent means pertaining to the matter in hand: a pertinent remark. Relevant means directly related to and important to the subject: a relevant opinion.

Other Word Forms

• aptly
  adverb
• aptness
  noun
• overapt
  adjective
• overaptness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of apt¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin aptus “fastened, fitted, fitting, appropriate,” equivalent to ap(ere) “fasten, attach” + -tus past participle suffix

Origin of apt.²

First recorded in 1900–05

Explanation

Something apt is perfectly appropriate, clever and well-suited to the matter at hand. If your room is small and dark, “cave-like” would be an apt description. The wee cousin of aptitude, apt has the same root meaning of "strength and ideal appropriateness." An apt description or nickname is one that’s just right. Apt can also be used in the form "to be apt to" meaning "to be likely to" do something. You’re apt to use this word more now that you know precisely what it means!

Example Sentences

“There’s certainly a lot of headroom on wind and solar in this country,” Mr. Apt said.

From Washington Times • Nov. 28, 2023

Apt because with the Covid pandemic still taking a toll, the show’s theme of caring about community resounded.

From New York Times • Dec. 5, 2022

Apt, given the recent announcement to ban it in stadiums.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2022

Police had questioned the woman and learned the location: 1525 N. Kenmore Ave., Apt.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2022

New York Times: "Apt, happily allusive, finely informed essays on the dramatists of our own time—his essay style is vigorous and pleasing."

From More Portmanteau Plays by Walker, Stuart

Related Words

• appropriate
• apropos
• correct
• felicitous
• fitting
• happy
• relevant
• suitable