adoptee

[uh-dop-tee, ad-op-]

noun

1. a person who is adopted.

Word History and Origins

Origin of adoptee¹

First recorded in 1890–95; adopt + -ee

Example Sentences

Ms Han is the first biological parent of an overseas adoptee seeking damages from the government, while in 2019, a man who was adopted in the US was the first adoptee to sue.

Read more on BBC

An Associated Press investigation has revealed widespread fraud in adoption documents, leaving many adoptees with false or incomplete histories.

Read more on BBC

"While many adoptees were fortunate to grow up in loving families, others suffered great hardship and trauma due to flawed adoption processes. Even today, many continue to face challenges."

Read more on BBC

If they are successful, it could pave the way for a large number of similar claims by other adoptees.

Read more on BBC

Then in September, China announced that it was putting a stop to international adoptions, including cases where families were already matched with adoptee children.

Read more on BBC

When To Use

What does adoptee mean?

An adoptee is a person who has been permanently (and typically formally and legally) taken into the custody of an adult or adult couple who act as that person’s parent(s) or guardian(s).In other words, an adoptee is someone who has been adopted. The process of adopting is adoption.Many adoptees used the adjective adopted as a way to identify that they are adopted, as in I’m adopted.The adjective adoptive means related by adoption. A person’s adoptive family is the one they were adopted into. The word can also be applied to specific family members related by adoption, as in adoptive father and adoptive daughter. However, adoptive is most commonly used for parents, while adopted is more commonly applied to a child who has been adopted, as in Their adopted daughter is the newest addition to the family. Adoptee is only used for the person who has been adopted.Adoption 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.Example: The organization provides support for adoptees and their families.