adjective

adoptive

uh-DAHP-tiv/əˈdɑːptɪv/

Connected through adoption rather than by birth.

The child and the adoptive parents share a book.

Adoptive parents and child share a warm everyday reading moment; adoption relationship is supplied by accompanying definition, not inferred from appearance.

Etymology

adLatinto, toward

+optLatinchoose, desire

+iveLatinpertaining to

The roots' idea of choosing someone for oneself underlies taking a child into a family. The adjective ending makes this a description of the resulting family relationship, rather than the act of establishing it.

In context

Twilight Drama Dreams💫4:38

I've shared a 20-year bond with Mother Yang You gave birth to me but the debt of raising me cannot go unpaid either I want to stay by my adoptive mother's side

[ENG SUB]✨A Fake Marriage Began As A Deal, But The Cold CEO Slowly Became Her Real Protector#drama

More examples

The agency offers support groups for adoptive families.
He has two adoptive siblings and one biological sibling.
She describes the traditions shared by her adoptive relatives.

Forms

adoption noun — The legal creation of a parent-child relationship.

Similar words

foster: Usually describes a caregiving arrangement without permanent legal parenthood.