Adapting Definition & Meaning

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. businesses accommodating themselves to the new political reality 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

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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 Middle French adapter, which was borrowed, in turn, from the Latin adaptāre,a combination of the Latin prefix ad- ("to, toward") and the verb aptāre, meaning "to put into position, bring to bear, make ready." Aptāre is a verbal derivative of 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.

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 See More

Recent Examples on the Web Any use of an antibiotic carries the possibility of provoking resistance, because bacteria adapt to defend themselves. — Wired, 15 July 2022 Sequoias’ survival strategy is a low-odds proposition, one that relies on realities that are changing faster than the species can adapt. — Kyle Dickman, Outside Online, 13 July 2022 Managing compliance against all potential outcomes requires systems than can adapt to best meet worker needs. — Saikat Dey, Forbes, 5 July 2022 In this hotter, drier climate, fire frequency increased faster than plants could adapt. — Corinne Purtillstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2022 The series is currently in development with the search on for a writer to adapt the book for the screen. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 29 June 2022 Democratic strategists argued that such a massive change in the legal landscape will trigger a drumbeat of news coverage as states adapt to the new legal realities, keeping the issue front of mind for a sustained period. — Annie Linskey, Colby Itkowitz, Anchorage Daily News, 27 June 2022 Hinch continues to preach patience as his young players adapt. — Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 25 June 2022 Consumer buying habits shifted faster than retailers could adapt to the changes. — Suzanne Kapner, WSJ, 18 June 2022 See More

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

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