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adaptable
/əˈdæp.tə.bəl/
able to change or adjust
She is highly adaptable and can work in different departments.
She can easily adjust to new roles or environments.
general
Capable of being modified or adjusted to suit different conditions or purposes.
The software is adaptable to various operating systems.
The software can be adjusted to work with different systems.
Employees need to be adaptable in a fast-changing workplace.
Workers must be able to adjust quickly to new challenges.
Often used to describe people, systems, or tools that can change easily.
Collocations
highly adaptablevery flexiblequickly adaptableable to adjust rapidlysocially adaptablegood at fitting into new social settings
Pro Tip
Use 'adaptable' for people and systems
Use 'adaptable' to describe people who can adjust to new situations (e.g., 'an adaptable employee') and systems or tools that can be modified (e.g., 'an adaptable software'). Avoid using it for objects that cannot change, like 'an adaptable chair'.
Gold Rule
Match 'adaptable' with change or adjustment
The word implies a positive ability to change or adjust. If something cannot change, use 'fixed' or 'rigid' instead.
Word Origin
From Latin *adaptare* ('to fit to'), from *ad-* ('to') + *aptare* ('to fit'), related to *aptus* ('fit'). The suffix *-able* indicates capability.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in personal, professional, and technical contexts to describe the ability to change or adjust. Avoid overusing it in formal writing where 'flexible' or 'versatile' might be more precise.
Word Breakdown
adapt
to change or adjust
root-able
capable of being
suffixEnglish Dictionary