Adaptation usually means the processa series of actions or steps that produce a result of changing to fit new conditionsthe circumstances or environment around something. It can also mean a new version of a work, such as a film made from a novel, or the body’s adjustmenta small change made to become suitable for a new situation of a sense organ to changing conditions.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌædəpˈteɪʃən/
Easy pronunciation: ad-uhp-TAY-shun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on TAY; secondary stress at the start.
Noun: the process of changing to fit new conditions.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Adaptation Meaning
the way someone or something adjusts to a new situation
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the process of changing to fit new conditions
Example: After moving to a new city, she found the adaptation easier than she expected.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- adjustment — Works well for the main meaning of changing to fit new conditions.
- adaption — A less common variant spelling used as a synonym in the source data.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Adaptation
Meaning 2
a new version of a story, book, or other work
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a written work that has been recast in a new form
Example: The film is an adaptation of a bestselling novel.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- version — A practical synonym when referring to a work made into another form.
Meaning 3
the eye or another sense organ adjusting to changes, such as light
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the responsive adjustment of a sense organ to changing conditions
Example: Dark adaptation helps the eyes work better in low light.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Adaptation Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- adjustment
- adaption
a written work recast in a new form
- version
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People often confuse adaptation with adaption; adaptation is the standard spelling in most contexts.
- Do not use version for the main meaning of adapting to new conditions.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does adaptation mean?
Adaptation usually means the process of changing to fit new conditions. It can also mean a work that has been rewritten or remade in another form.
What are adaptation synonyms?
For the main sense, adaptation is often close to adjustment. For the sense of a work in a new form, version can work well.
Is adaptation the same as adaption?
They are variant spellings, but adaptation is the more common standard form.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.