# adoptive

/əˈdɑptɪv/ (US) · /ɐdˈɒptɪv/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adoptive
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She has a very close relationship with her adoptive parents.
- After living in Madrid for twenty years, he considers Spain his adoptive home.
- The documentary explores the emotional journey of several adoptive families as they navigate the complexities of open adoption and maintaining connections with birth relatives.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is an adopted father." but "He is an adoptive father." — Use 'adoptive' for the parent or family who adopts, and 'adopted' for the child who is taken in.

## Usage notes

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

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.