apt

play

adjective \ ˈapt \

Definition of apt

1 :unusually fitted or qualified :ready

proved an apt tool in the hands of the conspirators

2 a :having a tendency :likely

plants apt to suffer from drought

b :ordinarily disposed :inclined

apt to accept what is plausible as true

3 :suited to a purpose; especially :being to the point

an apt quotation

4 :keenly intelligent and responsive

an apt pupil

—

aptly

play \ˈap(t)-lē\ adverb

—

aptness

play \ˈap(t)-nəs\ noun

See apt defined for English-language learners

See apt defined for kids

liable vs. apt

Both liable and apt when followed by an infinitive are used nearly interchangeably with likely. Although conflicting advice has been given over the years, most current commentators accept apt when so used. They generally recommend limiting liable to situations having an undesirable outcome, and our evidence shows that in edited writing it is more often so used than not.

Examples of apt in a Sentence

“Stripe” is an apt name for the cat, since she has striped fur.
that dog is apt to run off if you don't put him on a leash

Recent Examples of apt from the Web

There's a feeling among conservatives that universities' liberal leaders are more apt to restrict right-leaningspeech.

— jessie balmert, Cincinnati.com, "Post-Charlottesville, Ohio GOP wants to allow protests anywhere on campus," 29 Aug. 2017
Women have been more apt to come forward recently after high-profile cases involving Bill Cosby and executives at Fox News, according to Kelly Armstrong, a San Francisco employment rights attorney.

— Fortune, "California Wants to Crack Down on Sexual Harassment by Venture Capitalists," 28 Aug. 2017
And Dolphins coach Nick Saban would’ve been far more apt to stick around.

— tom krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Brees: L.A. move 'didn't have to happen'," 17 Aug. 2017
There's another reason the food-porn comparison is apt: The food-like quality of slime may be simulating the survival instinct of discovering edible food.

— charlotte lieberman, Marie Claire, "Inside the Internet's Obsession with "Slime"," 16 Aug. 2017
After mishandling the Ray Rice and Josh Brown situations, the league is more apt now than ever to issue strong discipline in cases of domestic violence.

— albert breer, SI.com, "Ezekiel Elliott Suspension: What It Means," 11 Aug. 2017
Naperville Central coach Mike Stine made an apt comparison when talking about Reed's arrival.

— blake baumgartner, Naperville Sun, "Jayden Reed completes transfer from Metea, practices with Naperville Central," 7 Aug. 2017
The ghost is an apt figure for the war that is fought a second time.

— krista stevens, Longreads, "Why Fiction Haunts Us: Pulitzer Prize Winner Viet Thanh Nguyen on His Ghosts," 1 Aug. 2017
Focusing on how the other half lives, this year’s Festival lineup is more apt to remind us that not everyone gets to write and stage their own story.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stratford Festival plays focus on women's untold stories," 31 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of apt

Middle English, from Latin aptus, literally, fastened, from past participle of apere to fasten; akin to Latin apisci to grasp, obtain, apud near, Hittite ḫap- to attach

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

apt Synonyms

Synonyms

prone, given, inclined, tending

Antonyms

improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, indecent, infelicitous, malapropos, misbecoming, unapt, unbecoming, unbeseeming, unfit, unfitting, unhappy, unmeet, unseemly, unsuitable, wrong

Related Words

choosing, preferring; disposed, liable, likely, minded, predisposed, willing

Near Antonyms

averse, disinclined, indisposed, loath (also loth or loathe), unwilling

Synonym Discussion of apt

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance. fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

- fit for battle

suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

- clothes suitable for camping

meet suggests a just proportioning.

- meet payment

proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

- proper acknowledgement

appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

- an appropriate gift

fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

- a fitting end

apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

- apt quotations

happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

- a happy choice of words

felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

- a felicitous phrase

quick, prompt, ready, apt mean able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability. quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

- quick reflexes
- a keen quick mind

prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

- prompt emergency medical care

ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

- backed by a pair of ready assistants

apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

- an apt student
- her answer was apt and to the point

apt

abbreviation

Definition of apt

1 apartment

2 aptitude

APT Defined for English Language Learners

apt

play

adjective

Definition of apt for English Language Learners

: likely to do something : having a tendency to do something
: appropriate or suitable
: quick to learn

APT Defined for Kids

apt

play

adjective \ ˈapt \

Definition of apt for Students

1 :having a tendency :likely

He is apt to become angry over small things.

2 :just right :suitable

an apt reply

3 :quick to learn

a student apt in arithmetic

—

aptly

adverb

—

aptness

noun

Word Root of apt

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.