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

• accessory
• accessary
• accoutrement
• accouterment
• add-on
• adjunct
• appendage
• appliance
• attachment
• option

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

Most fans have official GameCube controllers and either use adapters or Bluetooth converters to play Smash Bros. games on Nintendo consoles. —Umar Shakir, The Verge, 24 Apr. 2024

Currently, almost a third of them can only be used to charge Teslas—but that’s set to change in a few months, when other models will become compatible with Tesla’s superchargers by using an adapter. —Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

adapt + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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