adaptable

adjective adapt·able \ ə-ˈdap-tə-bəl , a- \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

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Examples: adaptable in a Sentence

Definition of adaptable

: capable of being or becoming adapted

plants that are easily adaptable to colder climates

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adaptability

play \-ˌdap-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

See adaptable defined for English-language learners

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 of adaptable from the Web

While costume remains in the past, the set exists in the present (though equally adaptable in the imagination).

— demetrios matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Lehman Trilogy': Theater Review," 13 July 2018
Animals are remarkably efficient, and adaptable to new situations and conditions.

— adam stanton, Scientific American, "Why Do Robots Look Like Animals and Humans?," 5 June 2018
Conklin and Flesher worked with Cooper to create an adaptable brace that molds around his left arm.

— karen farkas, cleveland.com, "University of Akron students create 3D arm brace for 14-year-old," 9 Apr. 2018
Although an ardent Brexiteer, Mr Raab has shown himself to be more adaptable than some of his more hardline colleagues.

— The Economist, "Meet Dominic Raab: the new Brexit boss," 9 July 2018
This survival strategy can work well for adaptable animals — think coyotes — but not others.

— kevin davenport, idahostatesman, "Night shift: Animals are retreating into the darkness out of fear of humans," 28 June 2018
Songbirds are quite adaptable in their choice of food sources and appear able to hold off breeding until conditions warrant.

— john schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, "It’s still winter in the Alaska Range, which is both good and bad," 13 May 2018
The Cat & Jack's collection includes diaper-friendly leggings and bodysuits, outerwear with zip-off sleeves and other adaptable options.

— sara m moniuszko, USA TODAY, "What is adaptive apparel? Everything you need to know about the inclusive clothing trend," 4 Apr. 2018
Power politics didn’t disappear from the planet, but the system endured, flawed and adaptable, for seventy years.

— george packer, The New Yorker, "Donald Trump Goes Rogue," 17 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of adaptable

adapt + -able

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First Known Use: 1692

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

adaptable Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.