What does adapt mean?
To adapt is to change something—or oneself—so that it fits new circumstances, purposes, or conditions. The verb carries two closely related senses: modifying an object or work for a different use (a novel adapted for the screen, a house adapted for wheelchair access), and adjusting one's own behaviour or outlook in response to a changed environment (adapting to a new job, climate, or culture). It is typically followed by 'to' when speaking of adjustment to conditions, and by 'from' or 'for' when describing how one work derives from another. Neutral in tone and common across formal and everyday registers, adapt is prized for its positive connotation of flexibility and resourcefulness. Its scientific resonance runs deep: in biology, adaptation describes the process by which organisms become better suited to their environment, making this small verb central to how we talk about survival, evolution, and resilience alike.
verbTo make something suitable for a new use or purpose by modifying it, or to adjust oneself to new conditions.
- To modify something to make it suitable for a new purpose or situation (e.g. adapting a book for film, adapting a recipe).
- To adjust oneself to new conditions; to become suited to an environment or circumstance (often used with 'to').
"The novel was adapted into an award-winning film."
"The company adapted its marketing strategy for overseas markets."
"It took her several months to adapt to the pace of city life."
Darwin made 'adapt' the word of life itself: every living thing you see is the descendant of billions of years of successful adapting — and so is every word in this sentence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of adapt
Adapt entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed from French adapter, which itself derives from Latin adaptare, meaning 'to fit' or 'to adjust'. The Latin root combines ad- ('to, toward') with aptare ('to fit'), from aptus ('fit, suitable'). This same Latin lineage gives English related words such as apt, aptitude, adept, and adaptation, all preserving the core idea of fittingness or suitability.
Related word forms
How adapt is actually used
Commonly followed by 'to' when referring to adjusting to conditions ('adapt to the climate') and by 'for' or 'from' when describing modification of content ('adapted from a novel', 'adapted for television'). Neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Easily confused with adapt
'Adopt' means to take up or choose something (a child, an idea, a method), while 'adapt' means to modify something or oneself to fit new conditions.