adapter

noun

adapt·​er ə-ˈdap-tər 

a-

variants or less commonly adaptor

1

: one that adapts

2

a

: a device for connecting two parts (as of different diameters) of an apparatus

b

: an attachment for adapting apparatus for uses not originally intended

Synonyms of adapter

• accessory
• option
• appliance

Examples of adapter in a Sentence

adapters for the food mixer include a meat grinder and an ice cream maker

Recent Examples on the Web

Tesla Supercharger access is included, and adapters will be available for charging at CCS stations. —Stephen Edelstein, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026

The great players have to be great adapters because baseball serves up near-constant tests of nimbleness. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

So is cryptocurrency just an early-adapter version of the digital monetary future? —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026

There’s also a mix of high-tech upgrades like the Amazon Echo Show and Google TV Streamer, plus a travel-friendly Bluetooth adapter my co-worker swears by for in-flight entertainment. —Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

adapt + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for adapter

• adaptor
• subchapter
• apter
• captor
• chapter
• raptor

Kids Definition

adapter

noun

adapt·​er

variants also adaptor

ə-ˈdap-tər 

1

: someone or something that adapts

2

a

: a device for connecting two parts (as of different diameters) of a usually larger device

b

: an attachment for adapting a device for uses not originally intended

Medical Definition

adapter

noun

adapt·​er

variants also adaptor

ə-ˈdap-tər 

1

: one that adapts

2

a

: a device for connecting two parts (as of different diameters) of an apparatus

b

: an attachment for adapting apparatus for uses not originally intended