adoptive

adjective

adop·​tive ə-ˈdäp-tiv 

1

: made or acquired by adoption

the adoptive father

2

: of or relating to adoption

adoptively adverb

Examples of adoptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though the kits stay close to their adoptive human parents, they’re eventually allowed to roam free during the day on the rescue’s rural 20-acre (8-hectare) property, a sprawling mix of meadows and thick forest spotted with ponds and a nearby river. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

Today, with support from his adoptive family, Champ is an accomplished therapy dog who shows others how to persevere when life throws unexpected curveballs. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026

Among the others in the welcoming committee are Diana, Mike’s devoted wife of nearly half a century, John Vincent, his figurative adoptive son, and Kira Novak, Vincent’s companion. — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Coleman played Claire's adoptive father, Noah Bennet, on the series. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English adoptif, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adoptif, going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin adoptīvus, from adoptāre "to adopt" + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing adoptive

• adoptive immunotherapy
• adoptive parent

Kids Definition

adoptive

adjective

adop·​tive ə-ˈdäp-tiv 

: made by or associated with adoption

the adoptive parents

Legal Definition

adoptive

adjective

adop·​tive ə-ˈdäp-tiv 

1

a

: having adopted

an adoptive parent

b

: having been adopted

an adoptive child

2

: made or acquired by accepting as one's own the words or actions of another

to constitute an adoptive admission…defendant must actually understand what was said and have an opportunity to deny it

—United States v. White, 766 F. Supp. 873 (1991)