adapt

Pronunciation: /əˈdæpt/

verb

Difficulty: common

Definition of adapt

adapt (verb): To make suitable changes in order to fit new circumstances, conditions, or environments; to modify oneself or something else to achieve harmony with new situations.

Example: Faced with shifting market demands, the company had to adapt its business model to stay competitive.

Best for: common-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "adjust" or "acclimatize"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of adapt

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: adaptare

Original meaning: to adjust, to make fit

How it evolved: Originally used in Latin to describe physical adjustments, the term expanded to encompass broader modifications in behavior and circumstances over centuries.

Derived from Latin in the late Middle Ages, the word 'adapt' originally referred to making something suitable or fitting for use.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember adapt

Think of 'a dap'—like giving a friendly handshake to a new situation, showing you're willing to adjust and fit in.

Synonyms for adapt

Antonyms of adapt

  • resist
  • reject
  • oppose
  • stagnate
  • preserve

adapt in a Sentence

  1. Faced with shifting market demands, the company had to adapt its business model to stay competitive.
  2. As a seasoned traveler, she quickly adapted to the new culture and language of the foreign country.
  3. The novel explores the protagonist's struggle to adapt to life in a war-torn region.

adapt in Literature & Culture

The concept of adaptation is widely explored in literature, from Robinson Crusoe's survival on a deserted island to the resilience of characters in dystopian novels. It frequently appears in motivational speeches as a metaphor for personal growth.

Usage Notes

Although 'adapt' is most often used in a neutral or positive sense, it can imply struggle or effort when referring to individuals adjusting to difficult circumstances. Avoid confusing 'adapt' with 'adopt,' a related but distinct word referring to taking something as one's own.

Why adapt Matters for GRE & SAT

Adapt is a high-frequency word on the GRE, often appearing in reading comprehension passages discussing survival, resilience, or innovation. Knowing this term and its nuances will help test-takers identify themes of change and flexibility in academic texts.

Word Family

adaptable (adjective)
Capable of being easily modified or adjusted.
adaptation (noun)
The process or result of modifying something to fit new circumstances.
adapting (verb)
The act of making adjustments or modifications.
adaptive (adjective)
Having the ability to change or adjust in response to different conditions.

Did You Know?

  • Charles Darwin's theory of evolution emphasizes the importance of adaptation for survival, making 'adapt' a cornerstone concept in biology.
  • The word 'adapt' is often used in Hollywood to describe turning books into movies, showcasing its link to transformation and creativity.
  • In psychology, adaptation refers to coping mechanisms individuals use to adjust to stress or change.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with A

  • abate — decrease in intensity; lessen
  • aberrant — deviating from what is normal or expected
  • aberration — A departure from what is normal or expected
  • abet — assist or encourage, usually in wrongdoing
  • abeyance — suspension; temporary suppression
  • abeyance — suspension; temporary suppression
  • abhor — detest or regard with deep hatred
  • abide — tolerate, follow, or accept
  • abide — tolerate, follow, or accept
  • abject — most unfortunate or miserable