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adopt

a·dopt

adopt

 
 
pronunciation:
dapt
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Note, Word History, Word Builder, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: verb
inflections: adopts, adopting, adopted
definition 1: to become a parent of (a child) by law, or to accept an animal as a pet and become responsible for it.
My mom and dad adopted a little girl from China, so now I have a sister.Sam's family adopted a dog at the animal shelter.
 
similar words:
foster, mother
definition 2: to take on and use as one's own.
When did you adopt that attitude towards school?She has adopted a weird laugh to get attention.
synonyms:
assume
antonyms:
discard, reject
similar words:
accept, acquire, affect, borrow, embrace, take
definition 3: to accept by voting for.
Congress adopted the law.
synonyms:
approve, enact, pass
antonyms:
revoke
similar words:
back, endorse, ratify, sanction, vote for
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: adoptable (adj.), adopter (n.)
adopt or adapt?
Adopt means to accept a new thing as your own. Adapt means to make changes because of a new purpose or situation.
Compare:
  • We adopted a puppy from the animal shelter.
  • The puppy soon adapted to its new home.
Word History
The English word adopt is from a Latin word adoptare that means "to choose for oneself" or "to choose as one's own." If you take away the prefix ad- from adoptare, the word optare is left. Optare means "to choose freely." Other English words that come from optare include "option" (a choice) and "opt" (choose).
Word Builder: adopt +
  • adopted:
    having been accepted by law.
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