Reading Theme:
Adaptation: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：screen version (adaptation)
adaptation
/ˌædəpˈteɪʃn/
n.
A movie, TV show, or play that has been changed and made from a book or another work.
screen version
➕
/skriːn vɜːrʒn/
n.
The product or result of modifying a piece of creative work (like a book, play, or true story) to fit a new medium, such as film or television.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'adaptare': ad- (to) + aptare (fit) → meaning 'to make fit'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: ADAPT + ACTION. The ACTION of making something ADAPT to a new use or environment.
📖 Example
The producers discussed the adaptation of the best-selling novel into a television series, aiming to make it more suitable for a younger audience.
The producers discussed creating a screen version of the best-selling novel for television, targeting a younger demographic.
🔗 Collocations
film adaptation – A movie that is based on a different work, like a book or play.
faithful adaptation – An adaptation that closely follows the original source material.
book-to-screen adaptation – The specific process or result of turning a book into a film or TV show.
🔄 Synonyms
version (n.) – A particular form or variant of something, especially one adapted for a different medium.
rendition (n.) – A performance or interpretation of a creative work.
transposition (n.) – The action of moving something to a different place or context, especially in art.
🚫 Antonyms
original (n.) – The first form of something from which copies or adaptations are made.
source material (n.) – The original work (book, play, etc.) that is later adapted.
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The term entered English in the 17th century, derived from the Latin verb 'adaptare', meaning 'to fit' or 'to adjust'. It gained prominence in both biological sciences (Darwin's theory) and the arts (literature to film), reflecting its core idea of adjustment for a new purpose.
Meaning 2：survival adjustment (adaptation)
adaptation
/ˌædəpˈteɪʃn/
n.
The process by which a living thing changes over time to better survive in its environment.
survival adjustment
➕
/sərvaɪvl ədʒʌstmənt/
n.
A physical or behavioral characteristic of an organism that has developed over time to increase its chances of survival and reproduction in a specific environment.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The polar bear's white fur is a perfect adaptation for hunting in the snowy Arctic, providing excellent camouflage.
The polar bear's white fur is an ideal survival adjustment for hunting in the snowy Arctic, offering superb camouflage.
🔗 Collocations
evolutionary adaptation – A trait that has become common in a population due to natural selection.
physiological adaptation – An internal bodily change that helps an organism cope with its environment.
adaptive trait – A specific feature that provides a survival or reproductive advantage.
🔄 Synonyms
acclimatization (n.) – The process of an individual organism adjusting to a gradual change in its environment.
adjustment (n.) – A small change made to become more suited to a particular condition.
🚫 Antonyms
maladaptation (n.) – A trait that is more harmful than helpful in a given environment.
🌱 Derivatives
adaptive (adj.) – Having the ability or tendency to change to suit different conditions.
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser