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 ▲

adopt
verb
I. child
ADV. legally The child has now been legally adopted.
PHRASES have sb adopted She was forced to have her baby adopted.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

adopt
II. take and use sth
ADV. formally, officially The policy has not yet been formally adopted.
VERB + ADOPT tend to | decide to | be forced to
PREP. towards the policies employers adopt towards the labour force

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲