adoptive
adjective
adop·tive
ə-ˈdäp-tiv 
1
: made or acquired by adoption
the adoptive father
2
: of or relating to adoption
adoptively
adverb
Examples of adoptive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Inspired by the real case of Natalia Grace and her adoptive mother, Kristine Barnett, Good American Family, which premiered on March 19, marks Pompeo's first new role and adds a producing project to her production company's repertoire.
—
Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
As the mom of Natalia Grace, she’s been accused of being a ‘monster’ by her adoptive daughter and her ex-husband.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2025
But unlike his predecessors, who acquired their skills through direct training from researchers, Kanzi developed an interest in such symbols on his own when his adoptive mother, Matata, was receiving lessons on how to use keyboard lexigrams to communicate.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2025
Pets In Need, a no-kill shelter, said there is an urgent need for foster families, adoptive pet parents and donations as more animals from Southern California are on the way.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoptive
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Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
As the mom of Natalia Grace, she’s been accused of being a ‘monster’ by her adoptive daughter and her ex-husband.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2025
But unlike his predecessors, who acquired their skills through direct training from researchers, Kanzi developed an interest in such symbols on his own when his adoptive mother, Matata, was receiving lessons on how to use keyboard lexigrams to communicate.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2025
Pets In Need, a no-kill shelter, said there is an urgent need for foster families, adoptive pet parents and donations as more animals from Southern California are on the way.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoptive
Cite this Entry
“Adoptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoptive. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoptive
adjective
adop·tive
ə-ˈdäp-tiv
: made by or associated with adoption
the adoptive parents
Legal Definition
adoptive
adjective
adop·tive
ə-ˈdäp-tiv
1
a
: having adopted
an adoptive parent
b
: having been adopted
an adoptive child
2
: made or acquired by accepting as one's own the words or actions of another
to constitute an adoptive admission…defendant must actually understand what was said and have an opportunity to deny it—United States v. White, 766 F. Supp. 873 (1991)
United States v. White, 766 F. Supp. 873 (1991)Love words? Need even more definitions?
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