adopt[verb]Synonyms:- foster, take in
- choose, assume, espouse, follow, maintain, take up
Antonyms: discard, repudiate
Contrasted words: reject, spurn, abjure, forswear, renounce
Related Idioms: adapt to one's own ends, go in for
Related Words: affect,
assume,
appropriate,
arrogate,
take,
usurp,
domesticate,
naturalize [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
a‧dopt S3 W2 /əˈdɒpt $ əˈdɑːpt/
verb[
Date: 1400-1500;
Language: French;
Origin: adopter, from Latin adoptare, from ad- 'to' + optare 'to choose']
1. CHILD [I, T] to take someone else’s child into your home and legally become its parent ⇒
foster:
Sally was adopted when she was four. The couple are unable to have children of their own, but hope to adopt.2. adopt an approach/policy/attitude etc to start to deal with or think about something in a particular way:
The courts were asked to adopt a more flexible approach to young offenders. The store recently adopted a drug testing policy for all new employees. California has adopted a tough stance on the issue.3. STYLE/MANNER [transitive] to use a particular style of speaking, writing, or behaving, especially one that you do not usually use:
Kim adopts a southern accent when speaking to family back home.4. LAW/RULE [transitive] to formally approve a proposal,
amendment etc, especially by voting:
Congress finally adopted the law after a two-year debate.5. NAME/COUNTRY ETC [transitive] to choose a new name, country, custom etc, especially to replace a previous one:
Stevens became a Muslim and adopted the name Yusuf Islam. Becoming a member of a society means adopting its values.6. ELECTION [transitive] British English to officially choose someone to represent a political party in an election
—adopter noun [countable]—adoptee /əˌdɒpˈtiː $ əˌdɑːp-/
noun [countable] [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲