adopt
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.adopt
verb \ə-ˈdäpt\Definition of ADOPT
transitive verb
1
: to take by choice into a relationship; especially : to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one's own child
2
: to take up and practice or use <adopted a moderate tone>
3
: to accept formally and put into effect <adopt a constitutional amendment>
4
: to choose (a textbook) for required study in a course
5
: to sponsor the care and maintenance of <adopt a highway>
intransitive verb
: to adopt a child <couples choosing to adopt>
— adopt·abil·i·ty \-ˌdäp-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— adopt·able \-ˈdäp-tə-bəl\ adjective
— adopt·er noun
See Examples of ADOPT
- They were unable to have children of their own, so they decided to adopt.
- They decided to adopt a child.
- He was adopted as an infant.
- Did he adopt your point of view?
- We adopted some of the local customs.
- The author Samuel Clemens adopted the name “Mark Twain.”
- He was born in England but he has adopted Canada as his home.
- The assembly adopted a new constitution.
- The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate.
Origin of ADOPT
Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French adopter, from Latin adoptare, from ad- + optare to choose
First Known Use: 1500
Synonym Discussion of ADOPT
adopt, embrace, espouse mean to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own. adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature <forced to adopt new policies>. embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance <embraced the customs of their new homeland>. espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes <espoused the cause of women's rights>.
Rhymes with ADOPT
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