B2 adjective Neutral

adaptation

/ˌæd.æpˈteɪ.ʃən/

Adaptation is the process of changing something so that it is suitable for a new purpose, situation, or environment. It can also refer to a movie, television program, or stage play that is based on a written work like a book.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Making small adaptations to your home can help you stay independent as you get older.

Making small adaptations to your home can help you stay independent as you get older.

2

The adaptation of the curriculum is necessary to accommodate students with different learning abilities.

The adaptation of the curriculum is necessary to accommodate students with different learning abilities.

3

Did you see the latest adaptation of that vampire novel? It was better than the book!

Did you see the latest adaptation of that vampire novel? It was better than the book!

Word Family

Noun
adaptation
Verb
adapt
Adverb
adaptively
Adjective
adaptive
Related
adaptability
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Memory Tip

Think of an 'Adaptor' plug. Just as an adaptor lets you use your phone charger in a different country, 'adaptation' is about changing to fit a new environment.

Quick Quiz

The BBC's new _____ of the Sherlock Holmes stories has been very popular with modern audiences.

Correct!

The correct answer is: adaptation

Examples

1

Making small adaptations to your home can help you stay independent as you get older.

everyday

Making small adaptations to your home can help you stay independent as you get older.

2

The adaptation of the curriculum is necessary to accommodate students with different learning abilities.

formal

The adaptation of the curriculum is necessary to accommodate students with different learning abilities.

3

Did you see the latest adaptation of that vampire novel? It was better than the book!

informal

Did you see the latest adaptation of that vampire novel? It was better than the book!

4

Biological adaptation occurs over many generations as species respond to environmental pressures.

academic

Biological adaptation occurs over many generations as species respond to environmental pressures.

5

The successful adaptation of our marketing strategy for the Asian market led to a 20% increase in sales.

business

The successful adaptation of our marketing strategy for the Asian market led to a 20% increase in sales.

Word Family

Noun
adaptation
Verb
adapt
Adverb
adaptively
Adjective
adaptive
Related
adaptability

Common Collocations

film adaptation film adaptation
climate adaptation climate adaptation
cultural adaptation cultural adaptation
process of adaptation process of adaptation
successful adaptation successful adaptation

Common Phrases

screen adaptation

screen adaptation

biological adaptation

biological adaptation

adaptation to change

adaptation to change

Often Confused With

adaptation vs adoption

Adoption is the act of taking something over as it is, while adaptation involves changing something to make it fit a new context.

adaptation vs adjustment

An adjustment is usually a minor change, whereas an adaptation often implies a more significant or structural change.

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Usage Notes

The word is commonly used in both scientific contexts (biology/evolution) and creative contexts (books becoming movies). It functions as both a countable noun (a specific movie) and an uncountable noun (the general process of adjusting).

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often misspell the word as 'adaption' (missing the second 'a'), or confuse it with 'adoption' in sentences about cultural change.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of an 'Adaptor' plug. Just as an adaptor lets you use your phone charger in a different country, 'adaptation' is about changing to fit a new environment.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'adaptare', which means 'to fit to' or 'to adjust'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable: 'There have been many adaptations of Hamlet.' Uncountable: 'Adaptation is key to survival in the wild.' Noun + of + noun: 'The adaptation of the novel...'
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Cultural Context

In English-speaking culture, film adaptations of classic literature are a major part of the cinema industry and often spark debates about whether the 'book was better.'

Quick Quiz

The BBC's new _____ of the Sherlock Holmes stories has been very popular with modern audiences.

Correct!

The correct answer is: adaptation

Related Words

unknown

A1

A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.

of

A1

A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.

in

A1

A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.

it

A1

A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.

on

A1

A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.

as

A1

A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.

this

A1

Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.

by

A1

A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.

we

A1

The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.

or

A1

A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.

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