adopt

To choose a plan, idea, method, or way of behaving and begin to use it.

• We should adopt a new plan.
• The school adopted a different teaching method.
• Which approach will the team adopt?

Similar words: take up, use, embrace

Opposites: reject, abandon

Common phrases: adopt a policy, adopt an approach, adopt a method

To legally become the parent of a child born to someone else.

• They want to adopt a child.
• My aunt adopted two sisters.
• How old was he when his parents adopted him?

Common phrases: adopt a child, adopt a baby, adopt someone legally

To take an animal into your home and care for it as your pet.

• Let’s adopt a dog.
• She adopted a kitten from the shelter.
• Have you ever adopted a rescue animal?

How to use it: adopt something from somewhere (We adopted a cat from a local shelter.)

Similar words: take in

Common phrases: adopt a dog, adopt a cat, adopt a pet

To give money regularly to support a particular child or animal without bringing them into your home.

• You can adopt a penguin at this zoo.
• Our class adopted an elephant and received photos.
• They adopted a child through a charity’s monthly support scheme.

Similar words: sponsor

Common phrases: adopt an elephant, adopt an animal, adopt a child