adaptable

adjective

adapt·​able ə-ˈdap-tə-bəl 

a-

: capable of being or becoming adapted

plants that are easily adaptable to colder climates

adaptability

ə-ˌdap-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

a-

noun

Synonyms

• all-around
• all-round
• protean
• universal
• versatile

Choose the Right Synonym for adaptable

plastic, pliable, pliant, ductile, malleable, adaptable mean susceptible of being modified in form or nature.

plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

Examples of adaptable in a Sentence

an adaptable tool that combines a screwdriver, a corkscrew, and pliers

an activities director who's adaptable to any kind of situation

Recent Examples on the Web

Those who fall under this Air sign are known to be deep, philosophical thinkers, who are often outgoing, love to chat and are quite adaptable. —Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024

Recent research into the true causes of depression is finding clues in other neurotransmitters and the realization that the brain is much more adaptable than scientists once imagined. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024

But those early gains have given way to a grinding struggle against an adaptable insurgency — and a growing feeling among many Israelis that their military faces only bad options, drawing comparisons with U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. —Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2024

While verdant swaths of South America are considered core jaguar habitat, these wanderers of the arid north may be more adaptable and therefore important to survival as the climate changes, said Russ McSpadden, Southwest conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. —Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

adapt + -able

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined above