adapt

verb \ ə-ˈdapt , a- \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

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Examples: adapt in a Sentence

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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

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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

But for certain species, the ability to adapt to and even exploit human resources makes them more likely to proliferate in our midst.

— katherine j. wu, Smithsonian, "How Humans Created the Ultimate Superpests," 9 July 2018
Such changes favor cells with genetic changes that foster their ability to adapt to the altered environment.

— james degregori, STAT, "Using the principles of evolution to treat and prevent cancer," 27 June 2018
Under the tutelage of coach Jay Wright, Brunson showed his ability to adapt while staying efficient and ready for the moment in leading the Wildcats to two NCAA titles in three years.

— sarah todd, Philly.com, "NBA draft: Trae Young heads list of point-guard prospects," 20 June 2018
Critics of net neutrality, including the Trump administration, say such rules impeded companies' ability to adapt to a quickly evolving internet.

— Fox News, "Your internet use could change as 'net neutrality' ends," 12 June 2018
Don’t Forget a Winning Mindset There are plenty of ways to address the changes in our bodies through exercise and recovery, but an athlete’s most valuable tool is confidence in their body’s ability to adapt.

— abigail barronian, Outside Online, "Here's How to Get Stronger After 50," 12 June 2018
Critics of net neutrality, including the Trump administration, say such rules impeded companies’ ability to adapt to a quickly evolving internet.

— Washington Post, "Your internet use could change as ‘net neutrality’ ends," 11 June 2018
This essay is adapted from EQ Applied: The Real-World Guide to Emotional Intelligence, © 2018, Justin Bariso.

— justin bariso, Time, "There’s a Dark Side to Emotional Intelligence. Here’s How to Protect Yourself," 5 June 2018
These dogs have taken us on a roller coaster ride of emotion and turmoil and yet remained steadfast in their love for each other and their ability to adapt and overcome vexing circumstances.

— caitlin o'kane, CBS News, "Blind dachshund and pit bull who acts as his "guide dog" have found a forever home together," 4 June 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

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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.