adaptive

[ uh-dap-tiv ]

adjective

1. serving or able to adapt; showing or contributing to adaptation:

   the adaptive coloring of a chameleon.

Other Words From

• a·daptive·ly adverb
• a·daptive·ness noun
• ad·ap·tiv·i·ty [ad-ap-, tiv, -i-tee], noun
• nona·daptive adjective
• rea·daptive adjective
• rea·daptive·ly adverb
• rea·daptive·ness noun
• una·daptive adjective
• una·daptive·ly adverb
• una·daptive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adaptive¹

First recorded in 1815–25; adapt + -ive

Example Sentences

Clinicians are just beginning to apply these strategies, in a treatment called adaptive therapy.

From Science Daily

Additionally, ancient adaptation signals can be masked by genetic drift -- random fluctuations in the frequency that genes appear -- and population mixing, which causes certain adaptive traits to disappear from the gene pool.

From Science Daily

But despite the seeming simplicity of blood-sucking, it takes a lot to evolve such adaptive behavior.

From Salon

The Los Angeles area offers a range of adaptive sports opportunities, allowing you to try out activities if you were inspired by the Paralympics.

From Los Angeles Times

His story is common among people with disabilities who say it was only by chance they stumbled across adaptive sports.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flexible