adopt
Pronounced:
/əˈdɑ:pt/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
adopts; adopt·ed; adopt·ingMeaning:
1 : to take a child of other parents legally as your own child [no obj] ▪ They were unable to have children of their own, so they decided to adopt. [+ obj] ▪ They decided to adopt a child. ▪ He was adopted as an infant.
2 [+ obj] a : to begin to use or have (a different manner, method, etc.) ▪ Their boss has recently adopted a friendlier manner. [=has started behaving in a friendlier way] ▪ Did he adopt your point of view? ▪ We adopted some of the local customs. b : to begin to use (a name that is not your real or original name) ▪ The author Samuel Clemens adopted the name “Mark Twain.” c : to live in (a country that is not your original country) and regard it as your home ▪ He was born in England but he has adopted Canada as his home.
3 [+ obj] : to accept or approve (something, such as a proposal) in a formal or official way ▪ The assembly adopted a new constitution. ▪ The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate.
4 [+ obj] chiefly Brit : to select (someone) officially as a candidate ▪ The party adopted [=selected, chose] her as its candidate for mayor.
2 [+ obj] a : to begin to use or have (a different manner, method, etc.) ▪ Their boss has recently adopted a friendlier manner. [=has started behaving in a friendlier way] ▪ Did he adopt your point of view? ▪ We adopted some of the local customs. b : to begin to use (a name that is not your real or original name) ▪ The author Samuel Clemens adopted the name “Mark Twain.” c : to live in (a country that is not your original country) and regard it as your home ▪ He was born in England but he has adopted Canada as his home.
3 [+ obj] : to accept or approve (something, such as a proposal) in a formal or official way ▪ The assembly adopted a new constitution. ▪ The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate.
4 [+ obj] chiefly Brit : to select (someone) officially as a candidate ▪ The party adopted [=selected, chose] her as its candidate for mayor.
—adopted adjective ▪ an adopted child [=a child who has been adopted] ▪ She is their adopted daughter. ▪ “Mark Twain” was the adopted name of Samuel Clemens. ▪ Canada is his adopted country.