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
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”; see ad-, opt
Explanation
You can adopt an air of nonchalance, a fake British accent, or even a stray dog. When you adopt something, you consciously select it and accept it as your own. The word adopt has many different shades of meaning, but most relate to the notion of taking something on and treating it as if it’s your own. You’re probably familiar with what happens if you adopt a child: you take on parental responsibilities and accept the child as if it’s your own. You can adopt other things — such as a plan, a method, or a point of view — in a similar way. For example, when you adopt a particular attitude — such as a respectful attitude — you select that as a way to present yourself and behave as if it is natural.
Vocabulary lists containing adopt
It's All in the Family
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Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 3
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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.
To amend the state Constitution, Virginia lawmakers must adopt the proposal twice — once before a “general election” and a second time after the election.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
Meanwhile, SK Hynix redistributes 10% of its operating profit in employee bonuses—a practice Samsung is starting to adopt.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
As more companies try to apply and adopt AI in their business, that’s creating a need for more engineering capacity, a need Spence thinks Cognition’s tools can address.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
Instead, the EU executive said it would issue a recommendation next year for member states to adopt national-level bans.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
“This unassuming style promotes study, that’s why we adopt it,” returned Laurie, who certainly could not be accused of vanity, having voluntarily sacrificed a handsome curly crop to the demand for quarter-inch-long stubble.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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.
