adaptable

adjective

adapt·​able ə-ˈdap-tə-bəl 

a-

: capable of being or becoming adapted

plants that are easily adaptable to colder climates

adaptability

ə-ˌdap-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

a-

noun

Synonyms of adaptable

• versatile

Choose the Right Synonym for adaptable

plastic, pliable, pliant, ductile, malleable, adaptable mean susceptible of being modified in form or nature.

plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

Examples of adaptable in a Sentence

an adaptable tool that combines a screwdriver, a corkscrew, and pliers

an activities director who's adaptable to any kind of situation

Recent Examples on the Web

In January, Chinese company DeepSeek released its R1 model demonstrating that companies can build highly capable models without top-tier chips, a reminder that cheap and adaptable models may spread fastest globally. —Eric Schmidt, Time, 11 Dec. 2025

Bringing software agility to hardware Inspired by this progress, Saab’s internal innovation group, The Rainforest, is exploring how manufacturing itself can become as adaptable as the avionics stack. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Dec. 2025

This makes Forever Goldy® quite adaptable throughout the South when planted in the ground. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025

In industries like chemical processing, energy production, and manufacturing, these kinds of adaptable processes are incredibly valuable. —K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

adapt + -able

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined above