adopt
/əˈdɒpt/to legally take someone else's child into your family and become their parent
The couple adopted a baby girl last year.
The couple legally took a baby girl into their family and became her parents.
This is the most common meaning of 'adopt' in everyday language.
to accept or start to use a new idea, method, or way of doing something
Many companies have adopted remote work policies.
Many companies have started to use remote work policies.
This meaning is often used in business and technology contexts.
Collocations
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Legal Context
When used in legal contexts, 'adopt' refers to the formal process of becoming a parent to a child who is not biologically yours.
General Usage
In general contexts, 'adopt' can mean accepting or starting to use a new idea, method, or way of doing something.
⚡Gold Rule
Formal vs. General
Be mindful of the context when using 'adopt'. In legal contexts, it refers to the formal process of becoming a parent, while in general contexts, it can mean accepting or starting to use something new.
📖Word Origin
From Latin 'adoptāre', meaning 'to choose for oneself', from 'ad-' (to) + 'optāre' (to choose).
📝Usage Notes
The verb 'adopt' is often used in legal and formal contexts, especially when referring to children. It can also be used more generally to mean accepting or starting to use something new.