adoptable

American  

[uh-dop-tuh-buhl] / əˈdɒp tə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being adopted; suitable or eligible for adoption.

   an adoptable child; a resolution found to be adoptable.

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noun

1. a child who is considered suitable for adoption.

   fewer adoptables than in previous years.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unadoptable
  adjective
• nonadoptable
  adjective
• adoptability
  noun

Etymology

Origin of adoptable

First recorded in 1835–45; adopt + -able

Example Sentences

It wasn’t for Bob—very few of Bob’s 112 applicants were good matches for him—and it hasn’t been for many other adoptable dogs who have gone viral.

From Slate • Sep. 4, 2025

A spokesperson for DfI said it is developing new enforcement guidelines to deal with developers that "have not fulfilled their responsibility to provide infrastructure to an adoptable standard".

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2025

All adoptable animals that were there before the fire were moved — to shelters in Sacramento, Santa Barbara, San Diego and other cities — to make way for the fire refugees.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

And as the polls closed, we followed that up with a stream of cuddly adoptable puppies from Hit Living Dog Rescue.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2024

During the 1980's, this occurred in the oil market, the art market, the market for adoptable children, and in new stock market offerings.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai