Advertisement

View synonyms for adopt

adopt

[uh-dopt]

verb (used with object)

  1. to choose or take as one's own; make one's own by selection or assent.

    to adopt a nickname.

  2. to take responsibility for raising (someone else’s biological child) as one's own, specifically by a formal legal act.

    After more than 300 days in foster care, the twins were adopted by a family that was able to keep the siblings together.

  3. to acquire (a pet, especially one from an animal rescue organization).

    Local animal rescue groups use social media to persuade people to adopt dogs and cats from them instead of purchasing puppies and kittens from pet shops or breeders.

  4. to take or receive into any kind of new relationship.

    to adopt a person as a protégé.

  5. to select as a basic or required textbook or series of textbooks in a course.

  6. to vote to accept.

    The House adopted the report.

  7. to accept or act in accordance with (a plan, principle, etc.).



verb (used without object)

  1. to take a nonbiological child into one’s home and raise as one’s own.

  2. to acquire a pet, especially one from an animal rescue organization.

    “Adopt! Don’t shop!” is the popular slogan promoted by one nonprofit animal advocacy group.

verb phrase

  1. adopt out,  to place in a home by means of adoption.

    The shelter provides basic medical care and vaccinations to the animals they will be adopting out.

adopt

/ əˈdɒpt /

verb

  1. law to bring (a person) into a specific relationship, esp to take (another's child) as one's own child

  2. to choose and follow (a plan, technique, etc)

  3. to take over (an idea, etc) as if it were one's own

  4. to take on; assume

    to adopt a title

  5. to accept (a report, etc)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • adopter noun
  • nonadopter noun
  • preadopt verb (used with object)
  • quasi-adopt verb (used with object)
  • quasi-adopted adjective
  • readopt verb (used with object)
  • unadopted adjective
  • well-adopted adjective
  • adoptee noun
  • adoption noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of adopt1

First recorded 1490–1500; late Middle English adopten, partly from Middle French adopter, partly from Latin adoptāre, equivalent to ad- verb prefix + optāre “to desire, pray for”; ad-, opt
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of adopt1

C16: from Latin adoptāre to choose for oneself, from optāre to choose
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Earlier this year, BBC Sport looked at the various formations, playing styles and tactics Tuchel might adopt, ranging from the fast and furious to the more cautious and pragmatic.

From BBC

If it passes, Los Angeles would join a growing list of cities that have adopted maximum temperature thresholds for rentals.

The department added it was "committed to ensuring adopted and kinship families continue to receive the help they need to thrive".

From BBC

Aiken did, however, welcome the review's 16 recommendations, which he said should be adopted.

From BBC

He used the same approach when he adopted menswear for career women.

Advertisement

Related Words

Discover More

When To Use

What does adopt mean?

To adopt is to take another parent’s child into one’s custody, typically in a formal legal way, in order to permanently act as their parent or guardian.This most commonly involves an adult couple or a single adult adopting and raising a child who is no longer in the custody of either of their birth parents (biological parents), such as in cases where they have died or are otherwise unable to care for the child. This sense of adopt can also be used in reference to adopting an animal as a pet, such as from an animal shelter. The word is especially used this way when the animal had a previous caretaker.Adopt and the noun form adoption have many other more general meanings. Most generally, adopt means to choose or take as one's own. It can also mean to accept something or vote to approve it. In all cases, adoption is the act or process of adopting, or the state of having adopted.To adopt a tradition or religion is to make it one’s own. To adopt a plan is to approve it and act according to its steps. Similarly, to adopt a law is to formally vote to approve it and take steps to follow and enforce it.Example: We’ve found an agency that will help us to adopt.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Adon Olamadoptable