adopt
to choose or take as one's own; make one's own by selection or assent: to adopt a nickname.
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.
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.
to take or receive into any kind of new relationship: to adopt a person as a protégé.
to select as a basic or required textbook or series of textbooks in a course.
to vote to accept: The House adopted the report.
to accept or act in accordance with (a plan, principle, etc.).
to take a nonbiological child into one’s home and raise as one’s own.
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.
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.
Origin of adopt
1Other words from adopt
- a·dopt·er, noun
- non·a·dopt·er, noun
- pre·a·dopt, verb (used with object)
- qua·si-a·dopt, verb (used with object)
- qua·si-a·dopt·ed, adjective
- re·a·dopt, verb (used with object)
- un·a·dopt·ed, adjective
- well-a·dopt·ed, adjective
Words that may be confused with adopt
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use adopt in a sentence
When faced with multiple casualty reports, AFP usually adopts the lower number.
ISIS Fighters Are Killing Faster than Statisticians Can Count | Peter Schwartzstein | December 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe RNC announced on their website “RNC Adopts The Color Blue, Launches New Logo Democrats Can Now Be Party of Red.”
Whatever persona she adopts, Dyer is framed lovingly by her husband.
David Bailey’s ‘Stardust’ Shows a Keen Eye for Fine Faces | Chloë Ashby | February 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA five-minute stroll from the memorial hall, in the slum he lives in, Cheng adopts a different tone.
She dresses in bright costumes and adopts an over-the-top persona, but still reads as dim and normal.
Now, unless the interlocutor adopts the same method and declares what he would do, conversation is apt to become one-sided.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeFor the nations of southern Iberia, he adopts the account of Asclepiades of Myrlea, who had lived and been educated there.
He adopts this opinion himself, and confirms the high notions which his partisans have formed respecting him.
Letters To Eugenia | Paul Henri Thiry HolbachThat principle, according to my ideas, is very injurious to the country which adopts it.
The Expeditions of Zebulon Montgomery Pike, Volume II (of 3) | Elliott CouesIn its very organization, it adopts a broad and most effective principle in restraint of the power of mere majorities.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster | Daniel Webster
British Dictionary definitions for adopt
/ (əˈdɒpt) /
law to bring (a person) into a specific relationship, esp to take (another's child) as one's own child
to choose and follow (a plan, technique, etc)
to take over (an idea, etc) as if it were one's own
to take on; assume: to adopt a title
to accept (a report, etc)
Origin of adopt
1Derived forms of adopt
- adoptee, noun
- adopter, noun
- adoption, noun
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
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