adapt

Everyday

1. To adapt is to change so that you fit a new place or situation better. tree →
2. To adapt something is to change it so it can be used in a new way. tree →
3. To adapt a book or story is to change it into a film, play or shorter version. tree →

In the lessons

In science adaptation is a key idea: animals and plants have features that help them survive where they live (camels for deserts, polar bears for the cold), and living things adapt over very long times. In everyday life people adapt to a new school, house or country. In literacy a film can be «adapted from a book».

Examples

• Polar bears are adapted to live in the cold Arctic. tree →
• It took me a few weeks to adapt to my new school. tree →
• We adapted the recipe because Sam cannot eat nuts. tree →
• The play was adapted from a famous fairy tale. tree →
• Cacti are adapted to dry places: they store water in their stems. tree →
• Our dog quickly adapted to the new house. tree →
• This is probably another case of adapting one tradition to another. tree →

Note

Regular verb: adapted, adapting. Noun: adaptation. Confusing pair: adapt (change to fit) vs adopt (take as your own, like adopting a pet). A single animal does not grow new body parts because it wants to; species change over many generations.