adaptability C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities US /əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/ UK /əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/ See IPA manual Meanings 1 noun the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions The species' adaptability allowed it to thrive in many climates. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 noun · the quality of being able... flexibilityversatilityresiliencemalleabilitypliability ↔ Opposites rigidityinflexibilityintransigence Word family Related forms adaptadaptableadaptiveadaptation Etymology AI details From adaptable + -ity, ultimately from Latin adaptare ('to fit to'), from ad- ('to') + aptare ('to fit'), from aptus ('fitted'). adaptare Latin aptus Latin View etymology graph -> Topics Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # adaptability **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** noun **IPA (US):** /əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/ **IPA (UK):** /əˌdæptəˈbɪləti/ ## Meanings 1. the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions ## Examples - The species' adaptability allowed it to thrive in many climates. ## Synonyms - flexibility - versatility - resilience - malleability - pliability ## Antonyms - rigidity - inflexibility - intransigence ## Related Forms - adapt - adaptable - adaptive - adaptation ## Roots and Affixes - Root: adaptare - Root: aptus ## Etymology From adaptable + -ity, ultimately from Latin adaptare ('to fit to'), from ad- ('to') + aptare ('to fit'), from aptus ('fitted'). ## AI Etymology Adaptability is a noun meaning "the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions". Historically, it is from adaptable + -ity, ultimately from Latin adaptare ('to fit to'), from ad- ('to') + aptare ('to fit'), from aptus ('fitted'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: adaptability is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The modern meaning, "the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions", follows the base word through the added English ending. The historical chain links Latin adaptare with Latin aptus. Close English family members include adapt, adaptable, adaptive, and adaptation. ## Topics - Describing Qualities - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown