Adoption — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ə-ˈdäp-shən/ adop·tion

Meaning & Definition of Adoption

Adoption (noun)

  1. the act or process of adopting someone or something
  2. the act or process of adopting a child
  3. the act or process of adopting an animal as a pet

Adoption (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in embrace, embracement

    similar: embrace, embracement, espousal, acceptance
    opposite: abdication, departing, departure, exit, exiting, leave, leaving, quitting, resignation, retirement, stepping down, relinquishment, renouncement, surrender

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Adoption

The most common words with a similar meaning to Adoption:

embrace, embracement, espousal, acceptance

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Adoption

Words with the opposite meaning of Adoption:

abdication, departing, departure, exit, exiting, leave, leaving, quitting, resignation, retirement, stepping down, relinquishment, renouncement, surrender

Word Forms of Adoption

Inflections: adoptions

Origin & Etymology of Adoption

Middle English adopcioun, borrowed from Anglo-French adopciun, borrowed from Latin adoptiōn-, adoptiō, from ad- ad- + optiōn-, optiō "right to choose, choice, option:1"

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Adoption

Words & Phrases Containing Adoption

open adoption, put/give the baby up for adoption

Frequently Asked Questions about Adoption

What does "Adoption" mean?

"Adoption" means the act or process of adopting someone or something. As a noun, it is defined as: the act or process of adopting someone or something.

What is another word for "Adoption"?

Other words for "Adoption" include embrace, embracement, espousal and acceptance. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Adoption" you intend.

What is the opposite of "Adoption"?

Antonyms of "Adoption" include abdication, departing, departure, exit, exiting, leave, leaving and quitting.

Is "Adoption" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Adoption" is a noun.

Is "Adoption" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Adoption" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Adoption"?

"Adoption" is pronounced /ə-ˈdäp-shən/ and divided into syllables as adop·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Adoption"?

"Adoption" comes from Middle English adopcioun, borrowed from Anglo-French adopciun, borrowed from Latin adoptiōn-, adoptiō, from ad- ad- + optiōn-, optiō "right to choose, choice, option:1". First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Adoption" meaning "as in embrace, embracement"?

When "Adoption" (noun) means as in embrace, embracement, synonyms include embrace, embracement, espousal and acceptance. Opposites in this sense include abdication, departing, departure and exit.