ENGLISH
REFERENCE

adoptive

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //əˈdɑptɪv// UK //ɐdˈɒptɪv// adop·tive

adj. describing a family that has legally taken a child into their home to raise as their own. It can also describe the country or home where someone chooses to live.

adj. relating to the legal adoption of a child; describes the relationship from the perspective of the parent or the chosen environment. Often used to distinguish legal family ties from biological ones.


SIMPLE

She has a very close relationship with her adoptive parents.

CONTEXTUAL

After living in Madrid for twenty years, he considers Spain his adoptive home.

COMPLEX

The documentary explores the emotional journey of several adoptive families as they navigate the complexities of open adoption and maintaining connections with birth relatives.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From adopt + -ive.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun like 'parents', 'family', or 'home'.

Pitfall

He is an adopted father.He is an adoptive father.Use 'adoptive' for the parent or family who adopts, and 'adopted' for the child who is taken in.

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