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
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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
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Any changes to Nafta probably wouldn’t be implemented for at least two years after agreement, giving manufacturers ample time to adapt, Boisjoli said.
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The Green Fund is designed to help poor countries adapt to climate change and bypass some of the heavily polluting technologies formerly used by rich countries.
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The Rude Mechanicals adapt the words of women in Shakespeare’s plays in this original piece.
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The chassis structure may be adapted from the Fusion/MKZ platform, but that’s out of sight.
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Founder Willa Allen began baking her shortbread more than 30 years ago in her home in North Carolina, and later adapted the recipe to make cookies.
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These plants are all adapted to dry summer conditions.
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The site offered data in the form of a 10-K, adapting the typical company annual report format into a version for the U.S. government.
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This essay has been adapted from writings produced in TMI Project workshops.
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
French or Latin; French adapter, from Latin adaptare, from ad- + aptare to fit, from aptus apt, fit
First Known Use: 15th century
Synonym Discussion of adapt
ADAPT Defined for English Language Learners
adapt
playDefinition of adapt for English Language Learners
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: to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation
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: to change (something) so that it functions better or is better suited for a purpose
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: to change (a movie, book, play, etc.) so that it can be presented in another form
ADAPT Defined for Kids
adapt
playDefinition 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.
Medical Dictionary
adapt
playMedical Definition of adapt
: to make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation) often by modification adapted himself to the new position
intransitive verb
: to become adapted : undergo adaptation
Learn More about adapt
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See words that rhyme with adapt Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for adapt Spanish Central: Translation of adapt Nglish: Translation of adapt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of adapt for Arabic speakers
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