NYT Dictionary

ADOPT

/əˈdɑpt/
VerbNouna-DOPTa-dopt · 2 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Meaning

To take (a child, heir, friend, citizen, etc.) by choice into a relationship.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

From Middle French adopter, from Latin adoptō; ad + optō (“to choose, desire”), equivalent to ad- + opt.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

espouseembracefollowborrowassumeacquiretakedramatizedramatiseaccept

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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