adopt adopt /əˈdɑːpt/

verb

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