# adapt

/əˈdæpt/ (US) · /ɐdˈæpt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adapt
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to modify something

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to change something so that it is suitable for a new use or situation.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to adjust yourself

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to change your behavior or ideas so you can deal with a new situation successfully.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. film/book version

verb · CEFR B2

to change a book or a play so that it can be made into a movie or TV show.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- It takes time to adapt to a new job.
- The local wildlife had to adapt quickly when the forest was cleared for a new housing development.
- Successful businesses are those that can adapt their strategies to meet shifting consumer demands without losing their core identity in the process.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.