adoptverb
uk/əˈdɒpt/us/əˈdɑːpt/adopt verb (TAKE CHILD)
B2 [ T or I ] to legally take another person's child into your own family and take care of him or her as your own child:
They've adopted a baby girl.
She had the child adopted (= she gave her baby to someone else to take care of).
They have no children of their own, but they're hoping to adopt.
Compare
foster verb
More examples
- It was a most fruitful discussion, with both sides agreeing to adopt a common policy.
- Since our research so far has not produced any answers to this problem, we need to adopt a different approach to it.
- We will have to adopt a more scientific approach in the future.
- Several governments have adopted tough new anti-terrorist legislation in the wake of the attacks.
- The budget proposal was adopted at the president's behest.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Parenting & caring for children
- adopted
- adoption
- adoptive
- attachment parenting
- au pair
- child-rearing
- childless
- childminder
- counsellor
- custodial
- custody
- nursemaid
- nursery nurse
- nurture
- one-parent family
- open adoption
- pediatrician
- upbringing
- visitation
- wean
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adopt verb (START USING)
B2 [ T ] to accept or start to use something new:
I think it's time to adopt a different strategy in my dealings with him.
The new tax would force companies to adopt energy-saving measures.
He's adopted a remarkably light-hearted attitude towards the situation.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Using and misusing
- adoption
- advantage
- avail
- avail yourself of sth
- be (of) (any/some) use idiom
- be/go heavy on sth idiom
- go through sth
- gobble sth up
- heavy
- make capital out of sth idiom
- max
- max sth out
- mine
- upcycle
- upcycling
- usable
- usage
- use
- use sth up
- wear
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adopt verb (CHOOSE)
[ T ] to choose someone or something or take something as your own:
Dr Kennedy has been adopted as the party's candidate for South Cambridge.
[ T ] to start behaving in a particular way, especially by choice:
Roz has adopted one or two funny mannerisms since she's been away.
More examples
- She tends to adopt a falsely cheerful tone when she's upset about something.
- to adopt a subservient role/position
- There is no English equivalent for 'bon appetit' so we have adopted the French expression.
- They have adopted local customs and tried to blend in with the community.
- The prime minister has adopted an inflexible position on immigration.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Taking and choosing
- accord
- adopted
- adoption
- appoint
- bags I... idiom
- be between the devil and the deep blue sea idiom
- dip
- either-or
- elect
- empanel
- go off with sth
- have/keep your options open idiom
- impanel
- selection
- selective
- selector
- self-selected
- single sb/sth out
- skim sb/sth off
- slate
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