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

Elba plays Teela’s adoptive father, Duncan. —Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026

In Masters of the Universe, Mendes plays Teela, He-Man’s primary love interest and the adoptive daughter of Duncan. —Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026

Once the case is resolved, the episode turns its attention to Brandis’ personal life, specifically on a hearing that will decide whether his adoptive son will stay in prison for the death of Brandis’ wife. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 2 June 2026

One Burger King ad shows Grogu (also known as Baby Yoda) and his adoptive father, the Mandalorian, walking into a cantina, where a Burger King employee is showing off a tray of food. —Los Angeles Times, 22 May 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)