rhizoverbBeta
Dictionaryadaptadjusting to new conditions
verb

adapt

uh-DAPT/əˈdæpt/

to change or change something to suit new conditions

She adapts the jacket sleeve to fit around the cast.

A woman adapts a young woman's jacket to accommodate a bulky forearm cast by opening its sleeve seam and inserting a wider fabric panel.
Etymology
adLatinto, toward
+aptLatinto join, fit

The pieces express fitting or joining something to something else. The meaning extends from making something fit a purpose to changing so as to fit new circumstances.

In context

Luc Forsyth8:13
you need to be flexible enough to adapt your script to changing situations
How to Write a Documentary Script in 3 Steps

More examples

  • The animals adapted to the new habitat.
  • We are adapting the schedule.
  • The story was adapted for the stage.

Forms

adapt · adapts · adapted · adapting

Similar words

adjust
Adjust may involve a smaller change.
modify
Modify does not necessarily aim to fit new conditions.