adopt

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.

The first records of the word adopt come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin verb adoptāre, meaning “to choose for oneself,” from optāre, “to choose.”

Adoption of children is often pursued by people who are unable or who choose not to have biological children, but it can also involve families with their own children adopting other children into the family. A child can also be adopted by a relative, such as an aunt, uncle, or grandparent. The adjective adoptive can mean “involving adoption” or “related by adoption,” as in my adoptive family. A person who has been adopted can be referred to as an adoptee. More commonly, such a person may identify as adopted, as in I’m adopted, but I’ve met my birth mother and keep in touch with her.

What are some other forms related to adopt?

• adopted (past tense verb, adjective)
• adoption (noun)
• adoptive (adjective)
• adoptee
• adopter (noun)
• nonadopter (noun)
• adoptable (adjective, noun)

What are some synonyms for adopt?

• accept
• approve
• enact

What are some words that share a root or word element with adopt? 

• opt
• option

What are some words that often get used in discussing adopt?

• child
• parent
• family
• pet
• animal
• agency
• services
• process

Adopt is commonly used in the context of the adoption of children as well as in its general senses.

THIS IS NOT OKAY. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community or having a disability should not be a factor in whether you are able to adopt a child or not. I am heartbroken. https://t.co/BC578N7k3T

— vote blue (@ida1ia) October 23, 2020

I have been trying to adopt a puppy for 3 months, no luck whatsoever. What am I doing wrong?

— Lea Goldman (@lea) October 21, 2020

@SOTSMerrill are there any plans to adopt early voting in CT for future elections? Feels like the state is behind on this one.

— Brian Koerber (@bkurbs) October 22, 2020

Is adopt used correctly in the following sentence?

We plan to adopt the new plan next quarter.