adapt

verb

\ə-ˈdapt,

a-\

adapted; adapting; adapts

Definition of adapt

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

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about adapt

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

Sign up for the Future Perfect newsletter, from which this piece was adapted. — Dylan Matthews, Vox, "How a $50-a-year nutrition program cut domestic violence in Bangladesh," 12 Nov. 2018 That may help anthropologists better understand the role of environment—and the ability to adapt to challenging new landscapes—in shaping human evolution and global expansion. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Archaeologists find 300,000-year-old stone tools in Saudi Arabia," 29 Oct. 2018 Variety reports that Alan Wake is being adapted to a TV show, with writer and longtime Remedy collaborator Sam Lake involved as an executive producer. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Katamari Damacy finally rolls onto PCs, Tencent's snowboarding battle royale," 14 Sep. 2018 The book, which was later adapted into a movie, was released to widespread praise. — Steve Israel, chicagotribune.com, "What's the greatest book about politics? Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich and others weigh in.," 12 July 2018 Buy Now Brooks Brothers plaid summer twill sport shirt Tucked in under a blazer or left unbuttoned by the pool, this shirt’ll adapt to whatever Independence Day brings your way. — Yang-yi Goh, GQ, "17 Fourth of July Menswear Buys That’ll Outshine the Fireworks," 3 July 2018 But even the monochromatic look can be updated and adapted for current trends. — Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "This New Brand Has Mastered Western Style," 13 July 2018 Spoilers ahead for the series, as well as some of the James S.A. Corey novels the show adapts. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Humanity inherits the galaxy in The Expanse’s season 3 finale," 29 June 2018 Wade admits, though, that as his children continue to grow up, his parenting style continually adapts. — Madison Roberts, PEOPLE.com, "Why Dwyane Wade Says He 'Never' Drinks In Front of His Kids," 26 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.

History and Etymology for 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 apt entry 1