Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Language: French
Origin: adapter, from Latin adaptare, from ad- 'to' + aptare 'to make fit', from aptus; APT

adapt

 verb
     
Related topics: Literature, Theatre
a‧dapt W3
1 [intransitive and transitive] to gradually change your behaviour and attitudes in order to be successful in a new situation
adapt to
The children are finding it hard to adapt to the new school.
flowers which are well adapted to harsh winters
The ability to adapt is a definite asset in this job.
adapt yourself/itself etc (to something)
How do these insects adapt themselves to new environments?
2 [transitive] to change something to make it suitable for a different purpose
adapt something to do something
The car has been adapted to take unleaded gas.
adapt something for somebody
These teaching materials can be adapted for older children.
3 [transitive usually passive]ALAPT if a book or play is adapted for film, television etc, it is changed so that it can be made into a film, television programme etc
be adapted for something
Many children buy books after they have been adapted for television.
—adapted adjective:
She lives in a specially adapted flat.
WORD FOCUS: change WORD FOCUS: change
to change something: alter, adapt, adjust, amend, modify, revise, vary
to change a system or organization: restructure, reorganize, reform
to change something completely: transform, revolutionize
to change facts or information, or change what someone has said: twist, distort, misrepresent
easily changed: flexible, adaptable
impossible to change: fixed, final, irrevocable

➔ See also change
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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