What does adapting mean?
Adapting is the present participle and gerund form of the verb 'adapt', meaning to modify something so that it suits a new purpose, environment, or set of circumstances — or to adjust oneself in response to changing conditions. It appears constantly in everyday speech: people speak of adapting to a new job, a new city, or new technology, while writers and engineers talk about adapting a novel for film or adapting a design for a different market. The word carries broadly positive connotations, suggesting flexibility, resilience, and resourcefulness; in biology, adaptation is central to evolution, which gives the term additional scientific weight. Adapting typically pairs with the preposition 'to', as in 'adapting to change'. Its close relatives include adaptable, adaptability, and adaptation, all tracing back to the same Latin root meaning 'to fit' or 'to make suitable'.
verbThe present participle and gerund of the verb 'adapt': to make something suitable for a new purpose or condition, or to adjust oneself to new circumstances.
- To modify something to suit a new purpose or situation.
- To adjust oneself to new conditions or circumstances.
"She is adapting quickly to her new role as team leader."
"The screenplay is adapting a beloved novel for the screen."
"After moving abroad, he spent months adapting to the local customs and climate."
Every species alive today is a descendant of winners of the adapting game — the ones that couldn't adjust simply left no descendants.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of adapting
Adapting derives from the Latin verb 'adaptare', formed from 'ad-' ('toward') and 'aptare' ('to fit'), itself related to 'aptus' ('fit, suited'). The English verb 'adapt' entered the language in the early 17th century, borrowed from Latin, and its participial form 'adapting' has been used since that period. Cognates sharing this root include adaptation, adaptive, aptitude, and adept.
Related word forms
How adapting is actually used
Common in both formal and informal registers. Often used with the preposition 'to'. As a gerund it can serve as a noun phrase subject, e.g. 'Adapting takes patience.'
Easily confused with adapting
'Adopting' means taking up or choosing something (a child, a method, an idea), while 'adapting' means modifying something or oneself to fit new conditions.