v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' däpt
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French adopter, from Latin adoptare, from ad- + optare to choose
Date: 1500
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 < adopt ed 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
intransitive verb
1 : to adopt a child <couples choosing to adopt >
2 : to sponsor the care and maintenance of < adopt a highway>
– adopt · abil · i · ty \ - ˌ däp-t ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– adopt · able \ - ' däp-t ə -b ə l \ adjective
– adopt · er noun
synonyms 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>.