Meaning & use
adapters
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“adapters” is a form of “adapter”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Devices that let equipment with one kind of plug or connection work with a different kind of socket or system.
Grammar: Plural of adapter; often with for: adapters for different countries.
Patterns
- adapters for something
- travel adapters
I packed two adapters so my laptop would work abroad.
The shop sells adapters for every kind of wall socket.
Cheap adapters can overheat if you plug in heavy appliances.
nounplural
People or things that change or adjust to fit new conditions or needs.
Grammar: Plural; often with an adjective such as quick or natural: quick adapters.
Patterns
- adapters to something
- quick adapters
Young children are often quick adapters when they move to a new school.
Some species are better adapters than others in a changing climate.
The best adapters in the company learned the new software first.
nounplural
Writers who rework a story from one form into another, such as a novel into a screenplay.
Grammar: Plural of adapter, used for people who rework creative material.
Patterns
- adapters of something
The adapters of the novel changed the ending for the stage.
Film adapters often cut minor characters to save time.
Several adapters worked on the television version of the series.
Word forms
| singular | adapter |
|---|
Common combinations
- travel adapters
- Travel adapters can be found at most airports.
- power adapters
- Power adapters should match the voltage of your device.
- plug adapters
- We bought plug adapters before the trip.
- quick adapters
- New employees who are quick adapters settle in easily.
- universal adapters
- Universal adapters fit several kinds of socket.
Synonyms and how they differ
- converters
- Converters change voltage or type of current, while adapters usually only change the shape of the plug.
- connectors
- Connectors join two parts but do not necessarily change the type of plug.
- adaptors
- Adaptors is a common alternative spelling, used especially in British English, with the same meaning.
- dongles
- Dongles is an informal word for small connecting devices, especially for laptops and phones.
Word family
- adapt verb
- to change to suit new conditions
- adaptation noun
- a change made to suit new conditions, or a reworked version of a story
- adaptable adjective
- able to change easily
- adaptability noun
- the ability to change easily
Commonly confused: adapters or adopters? adapters or converters?
adapters vs adopters
Adopters are people who take something up, such as early adopters of new technology. Adapters are devices or people who adjust.
adapters vs converters
Converters change power or signal type. Adapters just fit different connections.
Practice
You are traveling to a country with different wall sockets. Which items should you pack so your charger fits?
Choose one answer.
Adapters make a plug fit a different type of socket. Other cables or chargers would still have the same plug shape.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “adapters”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.