adapt
B1 (Independent User)Neutral; common in formal, academic, business, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To change something to make it suitable for a new purpose or situation; to adjust to new conditions.
To alter a text, play, film, or piece of media to make it suitable for a different format, audience, or purpose; to exhibit flexibility and resilience in response to changing circumstances, often implying a positive, proactive response to challenge.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate, thoughtful, and successful process of change. Contrasts with 'adjust' (smaller, quicker changes) and 'modify' (specific alterations to structure/function). 'Adapt' suggests a more holistic change to fit a new environment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major grammatical differences. The participle 'adapted' is equally common. Slight preference for 'adapt to' in both, but American English may see more frequent use in business/tech contexts ('adapt our strategy').
Connotations
Equally positive in both variants. In UK academic/ecological writing, can carry a stronger biological/evolutionary nuance.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both. Comparable corpus frequency (COCA vs. BNC).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
adapt something (for something)adapt (yourself) to somethingbe adapted from somethingadapt something to do somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bend like a reed in the wind (adaptability)”
- “Roll with the punches (adapt to difficulties)”
- “When in Rome, do as the Romans do (adapt to local custom)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Essential for discussing strategy, market response, and organizational change (e.g., 'We must adapt our model to the digital economy.').
Academic
Key in biology (evolution), literature (adaptation of texts), sociology (cultural adaptation), and psychology (behavioral adaptation).
Everyday
Used for personal changes, recipes, travel, and technology (e.g., 'I'm still adapting to my new phone.').
Technical
Used in computing (adaptive algorithms), engineering (adaptive systems), and environmental science (adaptive management).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The team had to adapt their tactics after the rain delay.
- Classic novels are often adapted for television.
- She found it hard to adapt to living abroad.
American English
- Businesses need to adapt quickly to new regulations.
- The screenplay was adapted from a bestselling book.
- It takes time to adapt to a different time zone.
adverb
British English
- The system functions adaptively, learning from user input.
- They responded adaptably to the client's last-minute requests.
American English
- The software updates adaptively based on usage patterns.
- The team worked adaptably to meet the shifting deadline.
adjective
British English
- He is highly adaptable and thrives in new situations.
- The adaptive reuse of the old factory created new flats.
- Adaptive learning software tailors lessons to each student.
American English
- An adaptive leader responds well to crisis.
- The car's adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance.
- Their adaptive skills were key to the project's success.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Plants adapt to get more sun.
- Can you adapt this recipe for two people?
- Children adapt to new schools.
- We adapted our holiday plans because of the flight cancellation.
- The film was adapted from a true story.
- It's important to adapt your CV for each job application.
- The organization failed to adapt its structure to the global market, leading to losses.
- Her teaching style is highly adaptable to different learning needs.
- Species must adapt to environmental pressures or face extinction.
- The architect's design brilliantly adapts traditional materials to a contemporary aesthetic.
- Their business model demonstrates a remarkable capacity to adapt to disruptive technologies.
- The treaty includes adaptive management clauses to account for new scientific data.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an ADAPTive chameleon: A DAPper chameleon changes its colour To fit in.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADAPTING IS RESHAPING TO FIT A MOULD; LIFE IS A SERIES OF ADAPTATIONS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'адаптировать' for minor, instant adjustments; Russian 'адаптировать' is a direct cognate but can sound more formal/technical. Distinguish from 'приспосабливаться' (often more passive/accommodating) and 'переделывать' (to remake/redo).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'adapt for' instead of 'adapt to' with conditions ('adapt to the cold', NOT 'adapt for the cold'). Confusing 'adopt' (to take on) with 'adapt' (to change). Incorrect: 'The company decided to adapt a new policy.' (Correct: 'adopt' or 'adapt an existing policy').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'adapt' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Adapt' implies a more significant, often permanent change to fit a new situation or purpose. 'Adjust' suggests smaller, finer modifications or temporary calibration (e.g., adjust your seat, adjust to the time difference).
Use 'adapt to' when referring to changing in response to new conditions (adapt to the climate). Use 'adapt for' when altering something for a specific purpose or user (a book adapted for children).
The direct noun is 'adaptation'. 'Adapt' is only a verb. The adjective is 'adaptable' or 'adaptive'.
It is neutral. It is perfectly appropriate in formal writing (academic, business) but also common in everyday speech. Synonyms like 'acclimatize' or 'reconfigure' can be more formal in specific contexts.