Adopt a Pet: Meaning and Guide

Meaning 1：adopt a pet (adopt a pet)

adopt a pet 🔊

/əˈdɒpt ə pet/

v. phr.

To take a homeless animal from a shelter into your home and care for it permanently.

Family adopting a happy dog from shelter in cozy living room

adopt a pet 🔊

➕

/əˈdɒpt ə pet/

v. phr.

To take a homeless animal from a shelter into your home and care for it permanently, giving it a loving family.

📁 Category：Animal Protection 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'adoptare' (ad- 'to' + optare 'choose'), meaning to choose a child or animal as one's own.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine holding an 'adopt' sign at a shelter; you 'opt' to choose a pet and give it a new home.

📖 Example

After visiting the shelter, we decided to adopt a pet - a playful kitten who immediately curled up on the sofa. 🔊 After visiting the shelter, we decided to adopt a pet - a playful kitten who immediately curled up on the sofa.

🔗 Collocations

adopt a pet from a shelter – to take an animal from an animal shelter into your home

adopt a pet responsibly – to ensure you can provide proper care and commitment before adopting

decide to adopt a pet – to make the choice to bring a homeless animal into your family

🔄 Synonyms

take in an animal (v. phr.) – To bring a stray or homeless animal into one's home, often temporarily or permanently.

rescue a pet (v. phr.) – To save an animal from a dangerous or neglectful situation and provide it with a new home.

foster a pet (v. phr.) – To care for a homeless animal temporarily until it is adopted by a permanent family.

🚫 Antonyms

abandon a pet (v. phr.) – To leave a pet behind without care, often illegally or unethically.

surrender a pet (v. phr.) – To give up a pet to a shelter or another owner, usually because of inability to care for it.

euthanize a pet (v. phr.) – To end a pet's life humanely, often as a last resort due to severe illness or overpopulation.

🌱 Derivatives

adoption (n.) – The act of taking a pet into your home and caring for it permanently.

adoptive (adj.) – Related to the process of adopting, as in 'adoptive family' or 'adoptive owner'.

adoptable (adj.) – Describes a pet that is available for adoption, typically healthy and ready for a new home.

📖 Cultural Story

Animal adoption campaigns emerged in the 19th century; the first animal shelter in the US was founded in 1869. Today, 'adopt a pet' promotes rescuing homeless animals.