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Meaning of adoptive in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /əˈdɑptɪv/

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  1. Qualitative Adjective

    adoptive

    Etymology

    late Middle English: via Old French from Latin adoptivus, from adoptare‘select for oneself’ (see adopt)

    Definitions

    1. of parents and children

    Examples

    • « related by adoption »
    • « adoptive parents »

    Synonyms

    • adopted
    • foster
    • surrogate

    Antonyms

    • biological
  2. 2. acquired as your own by free choice

    Examples

    • « my adopted state »
    • « an adoptive country »

    Antonyms

    • native

Famous quotes

  • « Adoptive parents are taking on enormous responsibility, both emotionally and financially. Quite frankly, they need as much disclosure as possible about the child's background and health to assure the best fit and be prepared. »
    Pat Robertson
  • « I was a sickly baby, and after two sets of adoptive parents took me home, they returned me to the orphanage because of a serious respiratory infection. But as they say, the third time's a charm, because my mom and dad adopted me and took me into their home where I was raised in a family full of love. »
    Rodney Atkins

Browse dictionary

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