What does adapter mean?
Word: Adapter
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Adapter means a small device that lets a plug fit a socket of a different shape, or that joins two things that do not match.
Synonyms: connector
How do you spell adapter?
Syllables: a - dapt - er
Tricky part: There is only one d, and the vowel after it is a, as in adapt. Do not mix it up with adopter, a person who adopts a child or a pet.
Watch out for: adepter, addapter
Memory tip: Spell adapt first: one d, with an a on each side of it. Adapter is built straight from that word.
Adapter in a sentence
Example 1: The adapter let us plug the old speaker into the new television.
Example 2: The laptop adapter got very warm after an hour.
Example 3: Mama keeps a spare adapter in her travel bag.
Fun Fact
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries list adaptor as another spelling of adapter, so a shop label with either one is correct.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) adapter
b) extention
c) electrisity
d) batery
Show answer
a) adapter. Electricity needs a c, battery doubles its t and extension uses s; adapter is the only word spelt right.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
adappter
a) a
b) e
c) p
d) t
Show answer
c) p. Adapter has a single p.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
adapter
a) container
b) converter
c) composer
d) collector
Show answer
b) converter. A travel adapter changes how a plug connects, so converter is the word closest in meaning.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
adap_e_
a) t, n
b) t, r
c) d, n
d) d, r
Show answer
b) t, r. Say adapt clearly: it ends in t, and the word closes with an r.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Ravi is flying from Delhi to London. Why does he pack an adapter?
a) his suitcase needs a lock
b) his phone screen is cracked
c) British sockets take a different plug
d) the plane has no reading lights
Show answer
c) British sockets take a different plug
2. Adapter is made from the verb adapt. What does adapt mean?
a) to take a child into your family
b) to take one number from another
c) to change to suit something new
d) to be very good at something
Show answer
c) to change to suit something new
