adapt
gb/ədˈæpt/ us/ədˈæpt/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Change something for new conditions
To change something so it works well in a new place or situation.
Usage pattern:
to adapt [something] for/to [new use/condition]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'adapt' with 'adopt'; 'adapt' means to change something, while 'adopt' means to take and start using it.
Synonyms
modify (Focuses on making changes, not necessarily for a new condition.)
|
adjust (Often refers to small or minor changes rather than major ones.)
Antonyms
preserve (Keeping something in its original form without change.)
Collocations
adapt a plan
|adapt a book
|adapt a strategy
|adapt technology
Themes
daily life
|business
|science
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The company adapted its products for the Asian market.
- The novel was adapted into a hit movie.
- We need to adapt our strategy to meet customer needs.
Learner examples
- I adapted my room for my baby.
- They adapted the story for a film.
- We adapted the menu for vegetarian guests.
Verb
B1
action
2
Adjust oneself to new conditions
To change how you act so you can live or work well in a new place or situation.
Usage pattern:
to adapt to [new situation/environment]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget the preposition 'to' after 'adapt' when talking about adjusting oneself.
Synonyms
adjust (Often implies smaller or quicker changes in behavior or attitude.)
|
acclimate (More often used for physical or environmental adaptation, such as climate.)
Antonyms
resist (Refusing or failing to change according to new conditions.)
Collocations
adapt quickly
|adapt easily
|adapt successfully
Themes
daily life
|travel
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- She adapted quickly to life in the city.
- It took him a while to adapt to the cold weather.
- The children adapted well to their new school.
Learner examples
- I adapted to my new job.
- We adapted to the hot weather.
- He adapted to his new home.
Grammar
Dictionary form
adapt
IPA
GB/ədˈæpt/
US/ədˈæpt/
Syllables & stress
ad - apt (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (apt)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: adapt
- 3rd Person Singular: adapts
- Present Participle: adapting
- Past: adapted
Word family
Forms
adapts
verb
adapting
verb
adapted
verb
Core family
adaptation
noun B2
adaptable
adjective B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unadaptable
adjective
Advanced or less common
readapt
verb
maladaptive
adjective
Expressions
adapt for the screen
1/ədˈæpt fɚ ðə skɹˈin/
fixed phrase
Make a story into a movie/TV show
To change a book, play, or other story so it can be made into a movie or TV program.
Examples
- The novel was adapted for the screen in 2010.
- Many classic books have been adapted for the screen.
adapt to change
1/ədˈæpt tə t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Adjust when things change
To change how you think or act when things around you are different.
Examples
- Successful businesses must adapt to change quickly.
- She finds it hard to adapt to change at work.