adopt
gb/ədˈɑpt/ us/ədˈɑpt/
B1
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Legally take another's child
To take a child into your family by law and care for them as your own.
Usage pattern:
to adopt [a child]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'adopt' with 'adapt'. 'Adopt' is about taking in and accepting, while 'adapt' is about changing something to fit.
Synonyms
foster (Implies temporary care without legal parental rights, unlike 'adopt' which is permanent.)
Antonyms
abandon (Means to give up or leave a child permanently, opposite of taking one in permanently.)
Collocations
adopt a child
|legally adopt
|adopted son
|adopted daughter
Themes
family
|law
|society
|relationships
|daily_life
Examples
- They decided to adopt a baby from abroad.
- After years of trying to have children, they chose to adopt.
- The couple adopted two siblings to keep them together.
- She was adopted at the age of three.
- Many celebrities have adopted children from different countries.
Learner examples
- They want to adopt a child.
- My aunt adopted a baby boy.
- The family adopted two children.
- He was adopted when he was young.
Verb
B2
action
2
Begin using an idea or plan
To start to use an idea, way of working, or plan.
Usage pattern:
to adopt [a policy/method/approach]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'adopt' with 'adapt' here; 'adopt' means to start using, 'adapt' means to change something to fit.
Synonyms
implement (Focuses on putting something into effect, often after planning; 'adopt' focuses on the decision to use it.)
Antonyms
abandon (Means to stop using an idea or plan, opposite of adopting it.)
Collocations
adopt a policy
|adopt a strategy
|adopt a new approach
Themes
business
|education
|politics
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The school will adopt a new teaching method next year.
- The company adopted a flexible working policy.
- Several countries have adopted this approach to healthcare.
- The city council voted to adopt the proposed regulations.
Learner examples
- The school will adopt a new rule.
- Our team adopted a new plan.
- The city will adopt this idea.
- They adopted a new way of working.
Verb
B2
action
3
Take on style or behavior
To start to use a certain way of speaking, acting, or looking.
Usage pattern:
to adopt [a tone/attitude/style]
Synonyms
assume (Often interchangeable when referring to taking on a manner or role; 'assume' can be more formal.)
Antonyms
abandon (To give up a style or behavior one had taken on.)
Collocations
adopt a tone
|adopt an attitude
|adopt a style
Themes
communication
|social behavior
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He adopted a serious tone when discussing the problem.
- She adopted a friendly manner with the guests.
- The politician adopted a more casual style during the campaign.
Learner examples
- He adopted a happy tone.
- She adopted a new style.
- They adopted a friendly way of talking.
Grammar
Dictionary form
adopt
IPA
GB/ədˈɑpt/
US/ədˈɑpt/
Syllables & stress
ad - opt (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (opt)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: adopt
- 3rd Person Singular: adopts
- Present Participle: adopting
- Past: adopted
Word family
Expressions
adopt a child
1/ədˈɑpt ə t͡ʃˈaɪld/
fixed phrase
Legally take another's child in
To legally take someone else's child into your family and care for them as your own.
Examples
- They decided to adopt a child from overseas.
- Many couples adopt children when they cannot have their own.
adopt a policy
1/ədˈɑpt ə pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase
Officially decide and use policy
To officially choose and start using a rule or plan for action.
Examples
- The company adopted a strict no-smoking policy.
- The government has adopted policies to reduce pollution.
adopt an attitude
1/ədˈɑpt ən ˈætətˌud/
fixed phrase
Take on a specific attitude
To begin to feel or act in a certain way about something.
Examples
- She adopted an optimistic attitude toward the changes.
- He has adopted a very defensive attitude lately.