apt
AdjectiveOpen English WordNet
Adjective (4)
- (usually followed by ‘to’) naturally disposed toward“he is apt to ignore matters he considers unimportant”“I am not minded to answer any questions”Synonyms: disposedgivenmindedtendingOpposite disinclinedSimilar inclined
- at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant“he is apt to lose”“she is liable to forget”Synonyms: liableOpposite unlikelySimilar likely
- mentally quick and resourceful“an apt pupil”“you are a clever man … you reason well and your wit is bold — Bram Stoker”Synonyms: cleverOpposite stupidSimilar intelligent
- being of striking appropriateness and pertinence“the successful copywriter is a master of apposite and evocative verbal images”“an apt reply”Synonyms: appositepertinentOpposite malaproposSimilar apropos
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: F. apte, L. aptus, fr. obsolete apere to fasten, to join, to fit, akin to apisci to reach, attain: cf. Gr. … to fasten, Skr. āpta fit, fr. āp to reach attain.
1. Fit or fitted; suited; suitable; appropriate.
They have always apt instruments.— Edmund Burke
A river... apt to be forded by a lamb.— Taylor, Jeremy
2. Having an habitual tendency; habitually liable or likely; — used of things.
My vines and peaches... were apt to have a soot or smuttiness upon their leaves and fruit.— Temple.
This tree, if unprotected, is apt to be stripped of the leaves by a leaf-cutting ant.— Sir John Lubbock
3. Inclined; disposed customarily; given; ready; — used of persons.
Apter to give than thou wit be to ask.— Francis, & Fletcher, John. Beaumont
That lofty pity with which prosperous folk are apt to remember their grandfathers.— Frederick Harrison
4. Ready; especially fitted or qualified (to do something); quick to learn; prompt; expert; as, a pupil apt to learn; an apt scholar. “An apt wit.” Dr. Samuel Johnson
Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die.— William Shakespeare
I find thee apt... Now, Hamlet, hear.— William Shakespeare
Synonyms: Fit; meet; suitable; qualified; inclined; disposed; liable; ready; quick; prompt.
Origin: L. aptare. See Aptate.
To fit; to suit; to adapt. obsolete “ To apt their places.” Ben Jonson
That our speech be apted to edification.— Taylor, Jeremy
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54
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