Word
adapt
US/əˈdæpt/
UK/ɐdˈæpt/
Definitions
01to modify something
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to change something so that it is suitable for a new use or situation.
v. to modify or adjust a physical object, system, or creative work for a different purpose or environment.
“The kitchen was adapted for a wheelchair user by lowering the counters.”
“The engineers adapted the existing software for mobile devices, ensuring that the user interface remained intuitive despite the smaller screen size.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for' to indicate the new purpose.
02to adjust yourself
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to change your behavior or ideas so you can deal with a new situation successfully.
v. to become adjusted to new conditions or a different environment. Often used intransitively or reflexively.
“It took the children a few months to adapt to their new school.”
“Successful species are those that can adapt quickly to changing environmental conditions, such as shifting temperatures or new predators.”
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'to'.
Pitfall
It took time to adapt at the new climate.
It took time to adapt to the new climate.
The verb 'adapt' usually takes the preposition 'to' when referring to the environment or situation you are joining.
Antonyms
03film/book version
B2 · Upper Intermediate Theater
v. to change a book or a play so that it can be made into a movie or TV show.
v. to rewrite or rework a literary or dramatic work for a different medium.
“The popular novel was adapted into a successful television series.”
“The screenwriter struggled to adapt the sprawling historical epic into a two-hour feature film without losing the protagonist's internal monologue.”
Usage
Usually takes 'from' for the source and 'into' for the result.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “adapt” in context.
Verb
01. adapt to
“It took the team several months to adapt to the new software system.”
verb + prep
Adverb
02. easily adapt
“Children often easily adapt to new environments when they start a new school.”
adv + verb
03. well adapt
“The species has evolved to well adapt to the harsh conditions of the desert.”
adv + verb
Confusables
Adapt is to change something for a new purpose; adopt is to take something new as your own.
RememberAdapt = Alter. Adopt = Accept.
Real-World Examples
“Marques says understanding how the fish adapts to these new environments is key to developing effective control strategies.” “Maybe the smarter thing to do is to adapt to it than think arrogantly that you can stop it.”
He added: “When it’s a bit warm, let’s enjoy it.” “The story is about leaving one world, adapting to another.” Etymology
From Middle English *adapten (attested in Middle English adapted (past participle)), from Latin adaptāre (“to fit to”), from ad- (“to”) + aptāre (“to make fit”), from aptus (“fit”); see apt.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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