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- pronunciation:
dapt
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Note, Word History, Word Builder, Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
adopts, adopting, adopted |
| definition 1: |
to take on as one's own (a manner, style, or point of view).
To disguise his hurt feelings, he adopted an air of indifference.Older children tend to adopt the manners of their peer group.- synonyms:
- appropriate, assume
- antonyms:
- discard, reject, repudiate
- similar words:
- accept, acquire, affect, arrogate, borrow, embrace, espouse, strike, take, wear
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| definition 2: |
to become by law a parent of (a child who is not one's own offspring), or to accept responsibility for an animal as a pet.
They decided to adopt a child rather than having more of their own.We adopted a dog at the animal shelter.
- similar words:
- father, foster, mother, parent
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| definition 3: |
to accept by voting for.
Congress adopted the legislation in its last session.- synonyms:
- approve, enact, pass
- antonyms:
- revoke
- similar words:
- back, endorse, ratify, sanction, vote for
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| related words: |
affiliate, buy, choose, follow, pass, receive |
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| 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.
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).
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