adaptability

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

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... flexibility versatility resilience malleability pliability

Opposites

rigidity inflexibility intransigence

Word family

Related forms adapt adaptable adaptive adaptation

Etymology

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

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# 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
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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