adapts; adapted; adapting
1
: to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation
When children go to a different school, it usually takes them a while to adapt.
—usually + toThese fish all adapt easily to colder water.
She has adapted to college life quite easily.
She has adapted herself to college life quite easily.
2
: to change (something) so that it functions better or is better suited for a purpose
The teachers adapted [=modified] the curriculum so that students of all abilities will benefit from it.
The camera has been adapted for underwater use.
The clock was adapted to run on batteries.
3
: to change (a movie, book, play, etc.) so that it can be presented in another form
He adapted the novel for the stage. [=he rewrote the novel as a play]
The movie was adapted from the book of the same title.
adapting the movie for television
Cite this Entry
“Adapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/adapt. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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