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adaptable

adaptable

23 3.4
Able to change to fit new situations
  • adjective
  • /əˈdæptəbl/
translation icon : adaptable
  • What every doctor needs is a portable, accurate, and adaptable source of medical knowledge.
  • readily adaptable
  • highly adaptable
  • easily adaptable

So I think teams that are focused on being adaptable can actually grow through this.

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Examples

  • It's not part of the current plan, but we might need to be adaptable.

  • It's amazing how adaptable we are as humans.

  • What that shows me is how adaptable the human body is.

  • So I think teams that are focused on being adaptable can actually grow through this.

  • But it turns out it's a very adaptable species.

  • Yeah, I think I'm very adaptable and I try and find common ground with people.

  • The brain is fluid, flexible, and incredibly adaptable to new experiences.

  • There are aspects of music education that are adaptable to fusion and coordination with other arts and subjects.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Providing an accessible and adaptable education has become an increasingly daunting task for community colleges.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The brain is fluid, flexible, and incredibly adaptable to new experiences.

Synonyms

flexible
vsadaptable
155 3.4

Able to change or be changed to fit different situations

focuses on the general capacity to change rather than willingness
adjustable
vsadaptable
35 3.4

Can be changed to fit different people or things

covers general changeability but not the sense of adjustment or use
adaptive
vsadaptable
33 4.9

Able to change to fit new conditions

expresses the same general ability to change for different uses
malleable
vsadaptable
12 6.0

Easily influenced by others and likely to change opinions

applies to changing to suit conditions rather than being influenced
customizable
vsadaptable
  • US
9 4.1

You can change it to suit your needs or tastes

is wider, applying to many conditions, not only personal choices
plastic
vsadaptable
8 5.5

Easily changed or influenced, like a child's mind

emphasizes practical change to suit uses rather than influenceability
pliable
vsadaptable
8 4.2

Easy to bend or shape

refers broadly to changeability rather than physical or smooth bending
elastic
vsadaptable
7 3.4

Able to change easily and deal with new situations

describes general change ability without stressing quick responsiveness
mutable
vsadaptable
3 7.7

Likely to change often

focuses on intentional change to suit conditions rather than chance change
configurable
vsadaptable
3 4.6

Able to be changed or set up to match a person's needs

is broader, meaning general changeability beyond technical setup
modifiable
vsadaptable
1 5.1

Can be changed to fit new needs

is more about fitting different uses rather than formal alteration
chameleonic
vsadaptable
1 8.3

Able to change appearance or behaviour easily to fit different situations

means general suitability to different conditions without hinting at motive
alterable
vsadaptable
1 4.2

Able to be changed

is about active adjustment to suit situations, not just possibility of change
reconfigurable
vsadaptable
  • Specialized
1 6.4

You can change it to work in different ways

covers general suitableness to conditions rather than technical rearrangement
adaptative
vsadaptable
7.5

Able to change to fit new conditions

is the standard or more common form of the same idea
hyperflexible
vsadaptable
5.6

Able to change quickly to fit different needs

means able to change but without emphasizing extreme ease
evolvable
vsadaptable
6.8

Can change and improve gradually to fit new conditions

refers to immediate suitability to conditions rather than long term development
like a willow in the wind
vsadaptable
  • Informal
8.1

Able to bend and change without breaking

focuses on simple changeability to suit uses rather than emotional resilience

Antonyms

11 4.7

Not willing to change or accept other ideas

How Adaptable

versatile
55 6.3
flexible
31 3.4
adaptable
23 3.4
rigid
70 4.2

Surface Forms

adaptable positive

Morphology

adaptable = adapt (transparent) = adapt + able

Formed productively from the verb 'adapt' with the adjective-forming suffix '-able', meaning 'able to be adapted'.

Etymology

The word adaptable comes from parts meaning 'to' and 'fit' — ad- 'to' and apt 'fit', the same root as the English word apt. So, to be adaptable is to be able to change and 'fit' into new situations.