source: Human_Running_Adaptations.png (2245×1587)

ADAPT, ADJUST, ACCOMMODATE, CONFORM, RECONCILE mean to bring one thing into correspondence with another.

ADAPT implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

e.g. adapted themselves to the warmer climate

ADJUST suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

e.g. adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

ACCOMMODATE may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

e.g. accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

CONFORM applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

e.g. refused to conform to society's values

RECONCILE implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

e.g. tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

verb with object

make (something) suitable for a new use or purpose; modify:

〖adapt A for B/to do〗 A〈物･事〉をB〈目的など〉に［…するために］適合［適用, 転用］させる, 当てはめる (!しばしば受け身で; adjustと違い, 必要に応じて時には大幅に変えること)

e.g. hospitals have had to be adapted for modern medical practice

e.g. the policies can be adapted to suit individual needs and requirements

e.g. (as adjective adapted) : mink are well adapted to hunting prey.

no object become adjusted to new conditions:

〖adapt to A〗 〈人などが〉A〈生活･環境など〉に適応［順応］する; なじむ

e.g. a large organization can be slow to adapt to change.

alter (a text) to make it suitable for filming, broadcasting, or the stage:

〖～ A for ［into］ B/B from A〗 A〈原作など〉をB〈映画･ドラマなど〉に改作［翻案, 編曲］する (!しばしば受け身で)

e.g. the miniseries was adapted from Wouk's novel.

Avoid confusing adapt with adopt. Trouble sometimes arises because in adapting to new conditions, an animal or plant can be said to adopt something, such as a new color or behavior pattern.

late Middle English: from French adapter, from Latin adaptare, from ad- ‘to’ + aptare (from aptus ‘fit’).