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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Adopt: Definition, Common Uses & Sentence Examples (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：take on (adopt)

adopt 🔊

/əˈdɑːpt/

To decide to start using a new idea, plan, or method because it is good or useful.

Illustration of a person adopting a new smartphone, symbolizing taking on new technology.

take on 🔊

➕

/teɪk ɒn/

This sense refers to the act of beginning to use something new, such as a tool, system, or method, after deciding it is beneficial.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'adoptare' (to choose for oneself), from 'ad-' (to) + 'optare' (to choose).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine you ADD an OPTion you've chosen. ADOPT = Choose to add.

📖 Example

To improve efficiency, our school decided to adopt a new online learning platform for all courses. 🔊 This means the school chose to start using the new platform.

🔗 Collocations

adopt a policy – to formally start using a specific rule or principle

adopt an approach – to begin using a particular method for dealing with something

adopt a standard – to officially start using a set of agreed-upon rules or measurements

🔄 Synonyms

implement (v.) – To put a decision, plan, or system into effect.

embrace (v.) – To accept or support a belief, theory, or change willingly and enthusiastically.

take up (v.) – To become interested in or start doing something.

🚫 Antonyms

abandon (v.) – To give up completely a course of action or practice.

reject (v.) – To refuse to accept, use, or consider something.

🌱 Derivatives

adoption (n.) – The action or fact of adopting something.

adoptive (adj.) – Related to or acquired through adoption.

adopter (n.) – A person or organization that adopts something.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin, the term was originally used in Roman law for the formal legal process of bringing someone into a family. This foundational meaning of 'choosing to take in' broadened over centuries to include abstract concepts like ideas and policies.

Meaning 2：become the parent of (adopt)

adopt 🔊

/əˈdɑːpt/

To legally take another person's child into your own family and become their permanent parent.

Image depicting a family adoption process, showing parents signing legal documents with a child.

become the parent of 🔊

➕

/bɪˈkʌm ðə ˈpeərənt ɒv/

This sense refers to the legal process of taking permanent parental responsibility for a child who is not one's biological offspring.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

After years of fostering, they were overjoyed to finally adopt the little girl and give her a forever home. 🔊 This means they legally became her permanent parents.

🔗 Collocations

adopt a child – to legally become the parent of a child not born to you

adopt a baby – to legally become the parent of an infant

adopt internationally – to adopt a child from another country

🔄 Synonyms

foster (v.) – To take care of a child for a period of time without becoming their legal parent (temporary care).

take in (v.) – To allow someone to live in one's home, often implying care.

🚫 Antonyms

give up for adoption (v. phrase) – To legally make one's child available for others to adopt.

🌱 Derivatives

adoption (n.) – The legal process of adopting a child.

adoptive (adj.) – Denoting a family or parent related through adoption (e.g., adoptive father).

adoptee (n.) – A person who is adopted.

Meaning 3：officially approve (adopt)

adopt 🔊

/əˈdɑːpt/

To formally accept a suggestion, plan, or law by voting on it, so it becomes official.

Visual of a formal committee voting to adopt a new proposal or official policy.

officially approve 🔊

➕

/əˈfɪʃəli əˈpruːv/

This sense refers to the formal acceptance or approval of a proposal, plan, or law by a governing body through a vote or official decision.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The city council voted to adopt a new environmental plan to reduce plastic waste in parks. 🔊 This means the council formally approved the plan, making it official policy.

🔗 Collocations

adopt a resolution – to formally approve a formal decision or statement by an organization

adopt a law – to formally approve a rule that must be obeyed, typically by a legislature

adopt a report – to formally accept a document's findings or recommendations

🔄 Synonyms

enact (v.) – To make a proposal into law.

ratify (v.) – To give formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.

endorse (v.) – To declare one's public approval or support of something.

🚫 Antonyms

reject (v.) – To refuse to accept or agree to a proposal.