Based on Lyapunov stability theory, a new method combining feedback control and adaptive control is proposed for the synchronization between two different chaotic systems. This method can be applied to solve synchronization problems of several classes of chaotic systems, e.g., Lorenz system, Chen system, Lü system, Liu system, and R?ssler system. It offers a general way of choice for the controller, and furthermore, for some concrete systems the controller can be simplified. Numerical simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.