adaptive

Language: en

🇬🇧 /əˈdæptɪv/ 🇺🇸 /əˈdæptɪv/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Capable of adjusting or being adjusted to new conditions, circumstances, or environments; showing the ability to adapt.; Relating to or characterized by adaptation, especially in biological or evolutionary contexts; serving to increase fitness or survival.; In computing and technology, describing systems or algorithms that modify their behavior based on input data or changing conditions.; In psychology, referring to behaviors, coping mechanisms, or responses that are constructive and promote well-being, as opposed to maladaptive ones.; In education, describing instructional methods or technologies that adjust content, pace, or difficulty based on a learner's performance and needs.; In optics and engineering, describing systems that compensate for distortions or changes in real time, such as adaptive optics in telescopes.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Comparative: more adaptive Superlative: most adaptive

Collocations

adaptive capacityadaptive managementadaptive behavioradaptive responseadaptive strategyadaptive radiation

Derivatives

adaptadaptationadaptabilityadaptableadaptivelyadaptivenessmaladaptivepre-adaptiveadaptively

Synonyms

flexibleadjustableadaptableresponsiveversatilemalleable

Antonyms

rigidinflexiblemaladaptivestatic

Commonly confused

adaptable
EN: 'Adaptable' describes the inherent ability or potential to adapt; 'adaptive' describes something that is characterized by or results from adaptation.
adopted
EN: 'Adopted' means taken on or chosen (e.g., an adopted child); 'adaptive' relates to the process of adjustment or adaptation.

Spelling tips

EN: Do not confuse 'adaptive' with 'adopted' or 'adoptive'. Remember the root is 'adapt' (a-d-a-p-t), not 'adopt'.

💬 Examples

  1. The company developed an adaptive strategy to respond to rapidly changing market conditions.

  2. The adaptive traits of desert plants include thick waxy leaves and deep root systems.

  3. The adaptive cruise control system automatically adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe following distance.

  4. Seeking social support during times of stress is considered an adaptive coping mechanism.

  5. The adaptive learning platform presents more challenging problems to students who demonstrate mastery of basic concepts.

  6. Adaptive optics use deformable mirrors to correct atmospheric turbulence and produce sharper astronomical images.