adapt

verb \ ə-ˈdapt , a- \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

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Examples: adapt in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of adapt

adapted; adapting; adapts

transitive verb

: to make fit (as for a new use) often by modification

adapt the curriculum to students' needs

intransitive verb

: to become adapted

adapt to a new enviroment

See adapt defined for English-language learners

See adapt defined for kids

adapt was our Word of the Day on 01/16/2018. Hear the podcast!

Examples of adapt in a Sentence

When children go to a different school, it usually takes them a while to adapt.
She has adapted herself to college life quite easily.
The camera has been adapted for underwater use.
The clock was adapted to run on batteries.
The movie was adapted from the book of the same title.
adapting the movie for television

Recent Examples of adapt from the Web

Bacteria built to adapt he weirdness of my spreadsheet stems from our profound ignorance of the microbial world.

— carl zimmer, STAT, "Shot through with microbes: How our bodies adapt to a hidden world of bacteria," 30 May 2018
Only follow-up studies will be able to tell us how birds are adapting to different climates.

— rachael bay, CBS News, "Can this bird adapt to a warmer climate? Read the genes to find out," 29 May 2018
That won’t change, unless workplace conditions adapt drastically.

— diana budds, Curbed, "How architecture can rebuild itself post #MeToo," 21 May 2018
The wide-open games most teams play would give Fernando a chance to adapt his skills to the NBA on a much smaller stage.

— don markus, baltimoresun.com, "As Terps' Huerter and Fernando weigh NBA draft decisions, here are some pros and cons to consider," 21 May 2018
But as Fox News adapts its 1950s workplace culture to fit the times, staffers are on edge.

— gabriel sherman, The Hive, "“People’s Heads Are Blowing Up”: As Fox News Installs a Meditation Room, Staffers Worry the Conservative Network Is Going Full Woke," 17 May 2018
Since being featured on Vogue, the sweatshirt has sold out, been restocked, and even adapted into an off-the shoulder, long black adjustable tee.

— amira rasool, Teen Vogue, "How 'Ghetto Until Proven Fashionable' Shirt Designer Nareasha Willis Fights Cultural Appropriation," 15 May 2018
Neuqua Valley coach Dave Masciola said Baren adapted quickly to a different set of rules and competition style at the state meet.

— bob narang, Naperville Sun, "Baren reigns: Neuqua freshman Michael Baren makes strong debut at state meet with pair of medals," 15 May 2018
The Chosen Learning to see past differences and getting to know the person underneath is a lesson for all time in Chaim Potok's 1940s-set novel, adapted by Potok and Aaron Posner.

— matt cooper, latimes.com, "The week ahead in L.A. theater, May 27-June 3: 'Coriolanus,' 'Cabaret' and more," 27 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adapt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Rooted in the origins of "adapt" is the idea of becoming specifically "fit" for something. English speakers adapted "adapt" in the 15th century from the French adapter, which itself traces to the Latin forms aptare, meaning "to fit," and aptus, meaning "fit" or "apt." Other descendants of "aptus" in English include "aptitude," "inept," and of course "apt" itself, as well as "unapt" and "inapt."

Origin and Etymology of adapt

Middle English adapted (as translation of Latin adaptātus), borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adapter, borrowed from Latin adaptāre, from ad- ad- + aptāre "to put into position, bring to bear, make ready," verbal derivative of aptus "fastened, prepared, suitable" — more at ¹apt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

adapt Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of adapt

adapt, adjust, accommodate, conform, reconcile mean to bring one thing into correspondence with another. adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

- adapted themselves to the warmer climate

adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

- adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

- accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

- refused to conform to society's values

reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

- tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

ADAPT Defined for English Language Learners

adapt

verb

Definition of adapt for English Language Learners

: to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation
: to change (something) so that it functions better or is better suited for a purpose
: to change (a movie, book, play, etc.) so that it can be presented in another form

ADAPT Defined for Kids

adapt

verb \ ə-ˈdapt \

Definition of adapt for Students

adapted; adapting

1 : to change behavior so that it is easier to function in a particular place or situation

He easily adapted to high school.

2 : to make or become suitable or able to function

The camera was adapted for underwater use.

Word Root of adapt

The Latin word aptus, meaning “fit” or “suitable,” gives us the root apt or ept. Words from the Latin aptus have something to do with being fitting or suitable. Something apt fits just right into a situation. To adapt is to change in order to fit a situation better. Someone who is adept has suitable skills to perform a task well, while someone who is inept does not.