adaptable
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/əˈdæptəbəl/
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Able or willing to change so that new conditions, needs, or purposes can be handled successfully.
Examples
The room has an adaptable layout for classes, meetings, or performances.
The plan proved surprisingly adaptable during the crisis.
She is adaptable enough to work with several different teams.
How adaptable is the software when our needs change?
Species that were not adaptable struggled as the climate shifted.
Similar words
versatileaccommodating
adjustable
resourceful
malleable
flexible
Meanings
Examples
She is adaptable enough to work with several different teams.
The room has an adaptable layout for classes, meetings, or performances.
How adaptable is the software when our needs change?
Species that were not adaptable struggled as the climate shifted.
The plan proved surprisingly adaptable during the crisis.
Similar words
flexible
versatileadjustable
resourceful
malleable
accommodating
Etymology
Formed from adapt and -able. Adapt entered English in the seventeenth century from French and Latin roots meaning to fit or make suitable.
FAQ
What does adaptable mean?
It means able or willing to change so that new conditions, needs, or purposes can be handled successfully.
Can adaptable describe both people and things?
Yes. A person can adjust behavior or skills, while a design, system, or plan can change to serve different needs.
What preposition commonly follows adaptable?
Adaptable to is common when naming a condition or situation, as in adaptable to change.
What is the opposite of adaptable?
Common opposites include inflexible, rigid, unadaptable, and fixed.
How is adaptable pronounced?
In General American English, adaptable is pronounced /əˈdæptəbəl/.
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