adopt
Americanverb (used with object)
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to choose or take as one's own; make one's own by selection or assent.
to adopt a nickname.
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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.
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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.
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to take or receive into any kind of new relationship.
to adopt a person as a protégé.
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to select as a basic or required textbook or series of textbooks in a course.
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to vote to accept.
The House adopted the report.
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to accept or act in accordance with (a plan, principle, etc.).
verb (used without object)
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to take a nonbiological child into one’s home and raise as one’s own.
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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
verb
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law to bring (a person) into a specific relationship, esp to take (another's child) as one's own child
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to choose and follow (a plan, technique, etc)
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to take over (an idea, etc) as if it were one's own
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to take on; assume
to adopt a title
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to accept (a report, etc)
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- adoptee noun
- adopter noun
- adoption 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
Etymology
Origin of adopt
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Asked for his thoughts on what would happen if United's current run of three straight wins since he took over from interim boss Darren Fletcher last month continued, Carrick adopted a neutral stance.
From BBC
He adopted a pseudonym because he was writing about his work “in an inner-city hospital and in a prison, and I therefore needed an extra layer of disguise,” he says.
When their demands were not met, they adopted a "go-slow" protest and occupied the mine to prevent management from locking them out, NAN reports.
From BBC
The budget is expected to include targeted support for low-income households, measures to ease cost pressures for businesses, as well as initiatives to help firms adopt AI and expand overseas, said Maybank Securities.
There, an athlete can adopt a houseplant for the duration of his or her stay, nurturing it for a couple weeks before it’s donated to a local charity, perhaps for auction.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
