adaptive

adjective

adap·​tive ə-ˈdap-tiv 

a-

1

: providing, contributing to, or marked by adaptation : arising as a result of adaptation

… left ventricular hypertrophy should not be considered solely an adaptive response to an increased ventricular workload.

—Edward D. Frohlich et al.

An effort to identify the healthy adaptive need that is being met by a patient's behavior can result in increased empathy for the patient.

—Thomas O. Brackett

specifically : of, relating to, or being a heritable trait that serves a specific function and improves an organism's fitness or survival

Webbed feet is an adaptive trait in aquatic animals.

2

a

: designed or intended to assist disabled persons : assistive

adaptive devices

b

: engaged in by disabled persons with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for a disability

adaptive skiing

c

: participating in a sport with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for disability

an adaptive skier

adaptively adverb

adaptiveness noun

adaptivity

ˌa-ˌdap-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Examples of adaptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their ability to provide relevant and timely travel insights despite these challenges underscores a commitment to reliable and adaptive leadership in the travel domain. —Tyler Shepherd, Detroit Free Press, 2 Apr. 2024

Central banks, particularly the Fed and ECB, have been at the forefront, navigating these turbulent times through adaptive and often unconventional monetary policies. —Magdy Hassan Fayed, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Women’s sizes span from XXS to 4X, and all baby, toddler, and kids clothes are adaptive. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024

The new report also points to field schools, where small farmers experiment with climate adaptive crops and techniques. —Somini Sengupta, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024

Reconfigurable transistors open up possibilities for hardware security solutions, novel applications in analog circuits, and advancements in neuromorphic computing, enabling self-learning and adaptive systems, according to Wind. —IEEE Spectrum, 18 Mar. 2024

Moreover, the company is working to add an AI functionality with a generative AI query-building option while eventually integrating predictive and adaptive AI to augment lab testing and decision-making procedures. —Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024

Stock up on vitamin D Like serotonin, vitamin D works to support both the adaptive and innate immune responses in the body. —Georgia Day, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2024

Understanding integrated, adaptive systems is extremely difficult. —The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

adapt + -ive

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing adaptive

• adaptive cruise control
• adaptive optics
• adaptive radiation
• counter-adaptive

Medical Definition

adaptive

adjective

adap·​tive ə-ˈdap-tiv 

1

: capable of, suited to, or contributing to adaptation

… adaptive traits that enhance survival and diversification of species …

—Science News

2

a

: used to assist a person with a disability in performing a certain task or activity : assistive

Adaptive equipment might include Braille keyboards, voice synthesizers and adjustable-height computer tables.

—Stuart Gordon, The Modesto (California) Bee

b

: engaged in by disabled persons with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for a disability

It is called wheelchair basketball, an adaptive sport for disabled people …

—James Nix, The Independent Tribune (Concord, North Carolina)

c

: participating in a sport with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for a disability

Ever seen those inspirational adaptive skiers cranking down the mountain in their ski chairs, or with a blind skier guide?

—Moira McCarthy, The Boston Herald

adaptively adverb

adaptiveness noun