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adapt

Syllabification: (a·dapt)
Pronunciation: /əˈdapt/

Translate adapt | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of adapt

verb

[with object]
  • make (something) suitable for a new use or purpose; modify:hospitals have had to be adapted for modern medical practice the policies can be adapted to suit individual needs and requirements (as adjective adapted)mink are well adapted to hunting prey
  • [no object] become adjusted to new conditions:a large organization can be slow to adapt to change
  • alter (a text) to make it suitable for filming, broadcasting, or the stage:the miniseries was adapted from Wouk’s novel

Origin:

late Middle English: from French adapter, from Latin adaptare, from ad- 'to' + aptare (from aptus 'fit')

Avoid confusing adapt with adopt. Trouble sometimes arises because in adapting to new conditions, an animal or plant can be said to adopt something, such as a new color or behavior pattern.

adapt in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of adapt in the British & World English dictionary

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