Meaning & use

adopt

verb·Everyday

To legally take another person's child into your family as your own, or to choose to use a method, idea, or practice.

See it in a sentence

The couple decided to adopt a toddler after years of trying to conceive.

The company adopted a new policy that lets employees work from home twice a week.

A note on using this word

Adopt covers both raising someone else's child as your own and formally accepting a plan, habit, or attitude.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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