adapt

verb

ə-ˈdapt How to pronounce adapt (audio)
a-
adapted; adapting; adapts
Synonyms of adapt

transitive verb

: to make fit (as for a new use) often by modification
adapt the curriculum to students' needs

intransitive verb

: to become adapted
adapt to a new environment

Did you know?

"Nothing in this world is as reliable as change" is a common aphorism and one we can certainly attest to as lexicographers. English speakers adapted adapt, for example, in the 15th century from the Middle French adapter, which was itself an adaptation of Latin adaptāre. That source traces back to Latin aptus, meaning "fit" or "apt." Other adaptations of aptus in English include aptitude, inept, and of course apt itself, as well as unapt and inapt.

Synonyms of adapt

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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

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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Whether Leribault can successfully adapt this centuries old institution to modern operational demands remains to be seen. — CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 For Stine, The Nightmare Hour short was a logical gateway into adapting his work. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026 Integrators must adapt the existing platform to accommodate those requirements. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 The Austen classic has been adapted for the big screen numerous times, though the most notable one being the 1995 film starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet, which was both a critical and commercial hit. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adapt

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of adapt was in the 15th century

Rhymes for adapt

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Browse Nearby Words

Adapis
adapt
adaptability
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Adapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adapt. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

adapt

verb
ə-ˈdapt How to pronounce adapt (audio)
: to make or become suitable
especially : to change so as to fit a new or specific use or situation
adapt to life in a new school
adapt the novel for children
adaptability
-ˌdap-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē
noun
adaptable
-ˈdap-tə-bəl
adjective
Etymology

from French adapter and Latin adaptare, both meaning "to adapt," from Latin ad- "to" and aptus "apt, fit" — related to apt

Medical Definition

adapt

transitive verb
ə-ˈdapt How to pronounce adapt (audio)
: to make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation) often by modification
adapted himself to the new position

intransitive verb

: to become adapted : undergo adaptation
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