Sample sentences for ADOPT - verbalworkout.com

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Definition

to take on as one's own

The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example:

"adopt a child" — to legally take on parental responsibilities for another person's child
"adopt a plan" — to accept or begin to use something
"adopt a pet" — to take in a pet — especially one from an animal shelter
"Congress adopted the resolution." — had a formal vote and passed
"adopted a confident attitude" — took on or displayed

The country adopted the metric system.

adopted = took on as its own

We adopted Emma.

adopted = legally took on parental responsibilities for another person's child

We adopted our dog from the animal shelter.

adopted = took on as our own

She overcame her fears and adopted a confident attitude.

adopted = took on as her own; or displayed

My grandparents adopted the American method of having one family name.

adopted = took as their own

And they were my real brothers, not just sort of adopted ones.
S.E. Hinton -- The Outsiders

adopted = taken on

George, I know you will think I am not—or was not—respectable, but it was before I met you, and I had to give him up for adoption and I could hardly bear to think of it and—
Sharon Creech -- Walk Two Moons

adoption = the act of having someone other than the biological parents take on legal responsibilities of raising a child

(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)

I haven't vet met Mike's adoptive parents, but Mike and I have spent a lot of time talking, and I've been thinking—
Sharon Creech -- Walk Two Moons

adoptive = having taken on legal responsibilities of raising a child conceived by someone else

(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)

In fact, I think that's how Mr. Benedict put the question to Constance: 'Would you be willing to adopt us as your family?'
Trenton Lee Stewart -- The Mysterious Benedict Society
But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she's going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can't stand it.
Mark Twain -- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
We adopted him, your father and I. "You look tired and hungry," Ira said, taking his arm.
Kamala Markandaya -- Nectar in a Sieve
Cotton adopted Oz and me, and I showed equal love and affection to him and my mother.
David Baldacci -- Wish You Well
Though Rhonda believes it's more apt to say they adopted him.
Trenton Lee Stewart -- The Mysterious Benedict Society
I refused to become a princess but adopted the titles of Court Linguist and Cook's Helper.
Gail Carson Levine -- Ella Enchanted
Oh, yes, it turns out Mr. Benedict adopted Number Two and Rhonda long ago.
Trenton Lee Stewart -- The Mysterious Benedict Society
I realized that although I have adopted a new country, I cannot forget China.
Ji-Li Jiang -- Red Scarf Girl
Blossom, trees; ripen, fields; be warm for them, suns; be fertile for them, planets: they are our adopted daughters, and they have come home.
Orson Scott Card -- Ender's Game
{5} This is the revised text adopted by Dr. Hawksworth (1766).
Jonathan Swift -- Gulliver's Travels
If this is the case and Captain Nemo still inhabits the ocean—his adopted country—may the hate be appeased in that fierce heart!
Jules Verne -- Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
They never adopted any of his ideas.
Robert A. Heinlein -- The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

Dictionary / pronunciation — Google^®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford^® US Dictionary list — Onelook.com^®

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