a‧dapt W3 / ədæpt / 动词

1 [不及物和及物动词] 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 [及物动词] 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 [及物动词，通常被动态] 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 → adaptation

be adapted for something

Many children buy books after they have been adapted for television.

— adapted 形容词 :

She lives in a specially adapted flat.

THESAURUS

to change something

change to make someone or something different : Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. | Being at college has changed her – she’s much more confident now.

alter especially written tochange something so that it is better or more suitable : You can alter the colour and size of the image using a remote control. | Can we alter the date of the meeting?

adapt to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it more suitable : How much would it cost to adapt the existing equipment? | You can adapt the recipe to suit your own requirements.

adjust to make small changes in the position or level of something in order to improve it or make it more suitable : How do you adjust the volume on the television? | He adjusted his tie in the mirror.

modify especially written to make small changes to something such as a piece of equipment, a set of ideas, or a way of behaving in order to improve it or use it in a different way : He’s modified his opinions since then. | a modified version of the original program.

reform to change a law, system, organization etc so that it is fairer or more effective : plans to reform the tax system | Health care needs to be completely reformed.

revise to change a plan, idea, law etc because of new information and ideas : In July, China revised the rules for foreign investment. | The findings could force the scientists to revise their ideas about climate change.

reorganize to change the way that a system or organization works : We’ve had to reorganize our database | During the 1980s, the government reorganized the civil service.

restructure to make big changes to the way something is organized, especially a large political or economic system or a big company, in order to make it more effective : The company has been restructured from top to bottom.