What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Adapt vs Respond - What's the difference?

adapt | respond |

In transitive terms the difference between adapt and respond

is that adapt is to make by altering or fitting something else; to produce by change of form or character: as, to bring out a play adapted from the French; a word of an adapted form while respond is to satisfy; to answer.

In intransitive terms the difference between adapt and respond

is that adapt is to change oneself so as to be adapted while respond is to act in return; to exhibit some action or effect in return to a force or stimulus; to do something in response; to accord.

As an adjective adapt

is adapted; fit; suited; suitable.

As a noun respond is

a response.

adapt

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To make suitable; to make to correspond; to fit or suit; to proportion.
  • To fit by alteration; to modify or remodel for a different purpose; to adjust: as, to adapt a story or a foreign play for the stage; to adapt an old machine to a new manufacture.
  • To make by altering or fitting something else; to produce by change of form or character: as, to bring out a play adapted from the French; a word of an adapted form.
  • To change oneself so as to be adapted.
  • They could not adapt to the new climate and so perished.

    Derived terms

    * adaptable * adaptation * adaptative * adapter * adaption * adaptitude * adaptly * adaptness * adaptor

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Adapted; fit; suited; suitable.
  • (Jonathan Swift)

    References

    *

    respond

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (intransitive) To say something in return; to answer; to reply.
  • to respond to a question or an argument
  • To act in return; to exhibit some action or effect in return to a force or stimulus; to do something in response; to accord.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01
  • , author=Robert M. Pringle , title=How to Be Manipulative , volume=100, issue=1, page=31 , magazine= citation , passage=As in much of biology, the most satisfying truths in ecology derive from manipulative experimentation. Tinker with nature and quantify how it responds .}}
  • (ambitransitive) To correspond with; to suit.
  • * Fairfax
  • For his great deeds respond his speeches great.
  • To satisfy; to answer.
  • The prisoner was held to respond the judgment of the court.

    Derived terms

    * responder * responsive

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A response.
  • A versicle or short anthem chanted at intervals during the reading of a lection.
  • (architecture) A half-pillar, pilaster, or any corresponding device engaged in a wall to receive the impost of an arch.
  • See also

    * react

    References

    * *