[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/adopt/)

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# adopt

verb (adopt, adopts, adopted, adopting)

«adopt» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To take a child into your family legally and raise them as your own. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#m1)
2. To take a pet home from a shelter to care for. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#m2)
3. To start using a new idea, plan, method or way of behaving. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#m3)
4. (formal) To vote to accept a plan or law. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#m4)

### In the lessons

Family and everyday life: adopt a child, adopt a dog. In school: a class might adopt a new rule or adopt an animal at the zoo (sponsor it). In history and civics: a country adopts a flag or a law. Phrases: adopt a pet, adopted son, adopt a plan, adopt an approach.

### Examples

- They adopted a baby girl from overseas. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#x1)
- We adopted a cat from the animal shelter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#x2)
- The school adopted a new uniform. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#x3)
- Our class adopted a penguin at the zoo. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#x4)
- The council adopted the plan to build a park. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#x5)
- She adopted a new way of studying and her marks improved. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#x6)
- I have been recommended to adopt a diction not too remote from that of the Authorised Version. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/#x7)

### Note

Do not confuse adopt (take as your own) with adapt (change to fit) — a very common trap. Noun: adoption; adjective: adopted (an adopted child), adoptive (adoptive parents).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «adopt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/adopt/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«adopt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/adopt.html) on Mova free.