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View synonyms for apt

apt

1

[ apt ]

adjective

  1. too apt to slander others.

    Synonyms: liable

  2. Am I apt to find him at home?

  3. unusually intelligent; able to learn quickly and easily:

    an apt pupil.

    Synonyms: skillful, dexterous, adroit, handy, adaptable, bright, clever

  4. suited to the purpose or occasion; appropriate:

    an apt metaphor; a few apt remarks on world peace.

    Synonyms: felicitous, germane, meet, fitting

  5. Archaic. prepared; ready; willing.


apt.

2

abbreviation for

, plural apts.

apt

1

/ æpt /

adjective

  1. suitable for the circumstance or purpose; appropriate
  2. postpositive; foll by an infinitive having a tendency (to behave as specified)
  3. having the ability to learn and understand easily; clever (esp in the phrase an apt pupil )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


apt.

2

abbreviation for

  1. apartment
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage Note

Some usage guides insist that apt followed by an infinitive can or should be used to mean only “inclined, disposed”: He is apt to ignore matters he regards as unimportant. In fact, apt is standard in all varieties of speech and writing as a synonym for likely in contexts that suggest probability without any implication of a natural disposition toward: Hostilities are apt to break out if the confrontation is not soon resolved. She is apt to arrive almost any time now. liable, likely.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈaptness, noun
  • ˈaptly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • apt·ly adverb
  • apt·ness noun
  • o·ver·apt adjective
  • o·ver·apt·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of apt1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin aptus “fastened, fitted, fitting, appropriate,” equivalent to ap(ere) “fasten, attach” + -tus past participle suffix

Origin of apt2

First recorded in 1900–05
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Word History and Origins

Origin of apt1

C14: from Latin aptus fitting, suitable, from apere to fasten
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Synonym Study

Apt, pertinent, relevant all refer to something suitable or fitting. Apt means to the point and particularly appropriate: an apt comment. Pertinent means pertaining to the matter in hand: a pertinent remark. Relevant means directly related to and important to the subject: a relevant opinion.
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Example Sentences

But in recent days, I've found Sarah Palin an even more apt comparison.

Today, it's our governing elites, regardless of party, who are most apt rush us into the future.

Experts we talked to said the comparison between Goodell and law enforcement may not necessarily be apt.

The compilation also brought the Nazi-riffic Apt Pupil and leach-tastic The Body (aka Stand By Me) to the silver screen.

Their timing is apt: The medical examiner is now a hot commodity in TV-land.

We are apt to think of these little ones as doing right only when under compulsion: but this is far from the truth.

Those of a more serious turn are apt to show a curious preference for the graver aspects of things.

In this country, we are apt to think when any one dresses himself up, that he is disguising a fool.

In conversation their minds are apt to remain in a recipient passive state.

But Bull in authority anywhere is apt to exhibit his horns to those whom he suspects of being nobodies.

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Apsyrtusapteral