apt

[ apt ]

/ æpt /

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See synonyms for apt on Thesaurus.com

adjective

inclined; disposed; given; prone: too apt to slander others.

likely: Am I apt to find him at home?

unusually intelligent; able to learn quickly and easily: an apt pupil.

suited to the purpose or occasion; appropriate: an apt metaphor; a few apt remarks on world peace.

Archaic. prepared; ready; willing.

OTHER WORDS FOR apt

1 liable.

3 clever, bright; adaptable; handy, adroit, dexterous, skillful.

4 fitting, meet, germane, felicitous.

See synonyms for apt on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

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

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

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Origin of apt

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

synonym study for apt

4. 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.

usage note for apt

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM apt

apt·ly, adverbapt·ness, nouno·ver·apt, adjectiveo·ver·apt·ness, noun

Other definitions for apt (2 of 2)

apt.

abbreviation, plural apts.

apartment (def. 1).

Origin of apt.

First recorded in 1900–05

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use apt in a sentence

He had just wrapped up another National Signing Day apt to enrich the rich when he said Thursday morning, “There’s been a lack of parity since the playoff has been introduced, and that’s not because of the playoff, but it contributes to it.”
The College Football Playoff has become an exclusive club. West Coast schools not invited.|Chuck Culpepper|December 18, 2020|Washington Post
Comparisons to the microwave are apt in that both technologies use electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than infrared light.
The kitchen of the future is here, it’s just not evenly distributed|Katie McLean|December 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Also, they’re apt metaphors for what you’re hoping to do in bed.
Holiday sex in your parents’ house without getting caught|Michael Alvear|December 15, 2020|Washington Blade
Yet, “brilliant” is the only apt word to describe Washington’s work.
‘Memorial’ is one of the best books of the year|Kathi Wolfe|November 27, 2020|Washington Blade

The note at the top of the puzzle says, “The first letters of certain grid entries in this puzzle will spell out an apt seven-letter word.”
Solution to Evan Birnholz’s Nov. 22 Post Magazine crossword, “Dark Secrets”|Evan Birnholz|November 22, 2020|Washington Post
The pictures are distinguished for their aptness and perfect illustrative character.
'Round the Year in Myth and Song|Florence Holbrook
From her tenderest years, she discovered a wonderful aptness, and a vehement desire, for acquiring languages.
The Book of Curiosities|I. Platts
I have, many times, and I never see such a rock without thinking of its aptness as an illustration of this Socialist philosophy.
The Common Sense of Socialism|John Spargo
The rapidity and sinuosity of its motions, its quick spring and sharp recoil, prove the aptness of the illustration.
The Myths of the North American Indians|Lewis Spence
Sometimes they enshrine a pun or a conceit, or depend for their aptness upon an assonance.
Chapters on Jewish Literature|Israel Abrahams

British Dictionary definitions for apt (1 of 2)

apt

/ (æpt) /

adjective

suitable for the circumstance or purpose; appropriate

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

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

Derived forms of apt

aptly, adverbaptness, noun

Word Origin for apt

C14: from Latin aptus fitting, suitable, from apere to fasten

British Dictionary definitions for apt (2 of 2)