Adapt vs. Adopt — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 25, 2023
Adapt means to modify or change for a purpose; Adopt means to take on or assume, such as a child or idea.
Difference Between Adapt and Adopt
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Adapt and Adopt are two distinct terms with different implications. To adapt is to make fit or suitable by modifying or adjusting. It implies a change in oneself or in the object to suit a particular environment or condition. On the other hand, to adopt is to take up and use something, such as a practice or principle, or to legally take another's child and bring it up as one's own.
Both words, though seemingly similar, serve different contextual purposes. For instance, in nature, organisms adapt to their environment to survive; whereas families may adopt a child, giving them a new home. Similarly, when a business faces challenges, it might adapt its strategies to meet market needs, but the same business might adopt a new technology to streamline operations.
In essence, while both words involve a form of change or acceptance, adapt is about modification to suit a situation, and adopt is about taking something on board or embracing it.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Modify for a specific purpose.
Take on or assume, like a child or idea.
Usage
Pertains to changes in behavior or structure.
Refers to accepting or commencing something.
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Examples
Animals adapt to their environment.
Families adopt children.
Grammatical Role
Often used as a verb indicating change.
Commonly used as a verb indicating choice.
Related Terms
Adaptable (able to adjust easily).
Adoption (the act of adopting).
Compare with Definitions
Adapt
Alter a text to make it suitable for filming, broadcasting, or the stage.
The playwright adapted the ancient tale for a modern audience.
Adopt
Formally approve or accept.
The council adopted the proposal unanimously.
Adapt
Adjust to new conditions or environment.
The species adapted to the desert's harsh climate.
Adopt
Legally take another's child and raise as one's own.
They decided to adopt a child from overseas.
Adapt
To make suitable to or fit for a specific use or situation
Adapted the novel into a movie.
Adapted the company policy to take internet use into account.
Adopt
Take up or start to use or follow.
The company adopted a new marketing strategy.
Adapt
To cause to be able to survive and reproduce under certain conditions. Used in the passive
“Every species is adapted to a rather restricted selection of properties of the environment” (Ernst Mayr).
Adopt
Choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans.
She adopted a new method of teaching.
Adapt
To change in order to meet the requirements of new circumstances or conditions
The music business had to adapt to digital technology.
Adopt
Take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect.
He adopted an authoritative tone in his speech.
Adapt
To become able to survive and reproduce under certain conditions
Hawks have adapted to living in cities.
Adopt
Legally take (another's child) and bring it up as one's own
There are many people eager to adopt a baby
Adapt
(transitive) To make suitable; to make to correspond; to fit or suit
Adopt
Choose to take up or follow (an idea, method, or course of action)
This approach has been adopted by many big banks
Adapt
(transitive) To fit by alteration; to modify or remodel for a different purpose; to adjust
To adapt a story for the stage
To adapt an old machine to a new manufacture
Adopt
Take on or assume (an attitude or position)
He adopted a patronizing tone
Adapt
(transitive) To make by altering or fitting something else; to produce by change of form or character
To bring out a play adapted from the French
A word of an adapted form
Adopt
(of a local authority) accept responsibility for the maintenance of (a road).
Adapt
(intransitive) To make oneself comfortable to a new thing.
They could not adapt to the new climate and so perished.
Adopt
To take on the legal responsibilities as parent of (a child that is not one's biological child).
Adapt
Adapted; fit; suited; suitable.
Adopt
To become the owner or caretaker of (a pet, especially one from a shelter).
Adapt
Fitted; suited.
Adopt
To take and follow (a course of action, for example) by choice or assent
Adopt a new technique.
Adapt
To make suitable; to fit, or suit; to adjust; to alter so as to fit for a new use; - sometimes followed by to or for.
For nature, always in the right,To your decays adapts my sight.
Appeals adapted to his [man's] whole nature.
Streets ill adapted for the residence of wealthy persons.
Adopt
To take up and make one's own
Adopt a new idea.
Adapt
Make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose;
Adapt our native cuisine to the available food resources of the new country
Adopt
To move to or resettle in (a place).
Adapt
Adapt or conform oneself to new or different conditions;
We must adjust to the bad economic situation
Adopt
To take on or assume
Adopted an air of importance.
Adapt
Make suitable for a new use or purpose.
Filmmakers adapt novels into movies.
Adopt
To vote to accept
Adopt a resolution.
Adapt
Modify something to make it suitable.
She adapted the recipe to fit her dietary restrictions.
Adopt
To choose as standard or required in a course
Adopt a new line of English textbooks.
Adapt
Become adjusted to new conditions.
After moving, he quickly adapted to the city life.
Adopt
To take (a child, heir, friend, citizen, etc.) by choice into a relationship.
Adopt
To take voluntarily (a child of other parents) to be in the place of, or as, one's own child.
A friend of mine recently adopted a Chinese baby girl found on the streets of Beijing.
Adopt
To obtain (a pet) from a shelter or the wild.
We're going to adopt a Dalmatian.
Adopt
To take by choice into the scope of one's responsibility.
This supermarket chain adopts several families every Yuletide, providing them with money and groceries for the holidays.
Adopt
To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally.
He adopted a new look in order to fit in with his new workmates.
Adopt
To select and take or approve.
To adopt the view or policy of another
These are resolutions that were adopted.
Adopt
To beat an opponent ten times in a row.
The match was not even close; the IM made amateurish blunders and ended up getting adopted.
Adopt
To take by choice into relationship, as, child, heir, friend, citizen, etc.; esp. to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) to be in the place of, or as, one's own child.
Adopt
To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally; to select and take or approve; as, to adopt the view or policy of another; these resolutions were adopted.
Adopt
Choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans;
She followed the feminist movement
The candidate espouses Republican ideals
Adopt
Take up and practice as one's own
Adopt
Take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities;
When will the new President assume office?
Adopt
Take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect;
His voice took on a sad tone
The story took a new turn
He adopted an air of superiority
She assumed strange manners
The gods assume human or animal form in these fables
Adopt
Take into one's family;
They adopted two children from Nicaragua
Adopt
Put into dramatic form;
Adopt a book for a screenplay
Adopt
Take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own;
She embraced Catholocism
They adopted the Jewish faith
Common Curiosities
Do Adapt and Adopt mean the same thing?
No, adapt means to modify or change, while adopt means to take on or assume.
Which is about changing oneself, adapt or adopt?
Adapt is about changing oneself or something to fit a situation.
If someone changes a book into a movie, what have they done?
They have adapted the book into a movie.
Can animals both adapt and adopt behaviors?
Animals can adapt to their environment, and while they don't "adopt" in a legal sense, they can adopt certain behaviors from observing others.
If a family brings a new child into their home, what have they done?
They have adopted a child.
Can a business adapt and adopt?
Yes, a business can adapt to changing markets and adopt new technologies or practices.
If I make changes to fit into a new culture, what am I doing?
You are adapting to the new culture.
If I take a new principle for my life, am I adapting or adopting?
You are adopting a new principle.
Can you adopt a method?
Yes, you can adopt a new method or approach.
If a company integrates a new software into their system, what have they done?
They have adopted a new software.
Can you adapt an idea?
Yes, you can adapt an idea to make it fit a new context or purpose.
Is the term "adaptation" related to "adapt"?
Yes, adaptation is the process or result of adapting.
Can a country adopt a law?
Yes, a country can adopt a new law or regulation.
Can one adapt to an adopted environment?
Yes, one can adapt to an environment they have chosen or adopted.
Is the term "adoptive" related to "adopt"?
Yes, adoptive refers to someone who has adopted, like an "adoptive parent."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
