adaptability
uh-dap-tuh-BIL-uh-tee
/əˌdæp.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/
The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions or changes in the environment.
Adaptability is often seen as the highest form of intelligence in sports—the ability to change the plan when it's not working.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'adaptare', which means 'to fit to'. It describes the essential quality of being like water—able to change your shape to fit the 'container' of the current situation or challenge.
Word relationships
- versatility: Versatility is having many different skills; adaptability is the ability to change those skills to fit the situation.
- rigidity: Rigidity is the inability to change or bend.
Commonly confused with
- flexibility: Flexibility is the range of motion; adaptability is the range of response.
Word family
- adapt (verb): To make suitable to a new purpose or situation.
- adaptable (adjective): Able to adjust to new conditions.
Collocations
- remarkable adaptability
- mental adaptability
- lack of adaptability
Example sentences
- "Adaptability is about the powerful difference between adapting to cope and adapting to win." Strategy theory
- "In a fast-paced game, adaptability is crucial because the original plan rarely survives the first five minutes." Sports coaching
Memory hook
If you can 'Adapt', you are 'Able' to win in any 'City' (adapt-ability). Fitting into a new situation.
When not to use
Don't confuse it with 'flexibility', which is often physical; adaptability is usually mental or systemic.
Fun facts
- In biology, adaptability is the key to evolution; in sports, it is the key to surviving a championship season.
Related words
Explore more words
adaptable, adapt, adaptive, flexibility, versatile, adaptation
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