adopt meaning and definition

ADOPT verb

Definition of adopt (verb)

1. choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
   • "She followed the feminist movement"; "The candidate espouses Republican ideals"
   • synonyms: espouse, follow
2. take up and practice as one's own
   • synonyms: borrow, take over, take up
3. take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
   • "When will the new President assume office?"
   • synonyms: assume, take on, take over
4. take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect
   • "His voice took on a sad tone"; "The story took a new turn"; "he adopted an air of superiority"; "She assumed strange manners"; "The gods assume human or animal form in these fables"
   • synonyms: acquire, assume, take, take on
5. take into one's family
   • "They adopted two children from Nicaragua"
   • synonyms: take in
6. put into dramatic form
   • "adopt a book for a screenplay"
   • synonyms: dramatise, dramatize
7. take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own
   • "She embraced Catholicism"; "They adopted the Jewish faith"
   • synonyms: embrace, espouse, sweep up