adj Uncommon

adoptive

uh-DOP-tihv

Adoptive (adj) means Related by adoption rather than by birth. Example: “Her adoptive parents raised her from infancy.”

adj

Related by adoption rather than by birth.

"Her adoptive parents raised her from infancy."

"He stayed close to his adoptive family throughout his life."

How to use adoptive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes a family relationship formed through adoption.

Common mistake

Use "adoptive" for the parents/family ("adoptive mother") and "adopted" for the child ("adopted son") — they aren't interchangeable.

Easily confused with

adopted →

Common pairings

adoptive parents adoptive family adoptive father

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Can you complete this real example?

Her _____ parents raised her from infancy.

From adopt + the adjective-forming suffix -ive.

adopted

biological blood

line blood stock origin organic biological borrowed physiological

five give dive live olive drive alive strive derive active arrive native

What does “adoptive” mean?

The word “adoptive” means related by adoption rather than by birth. In plain terms, describes a family relationship formed through adoption.

How do you pronounce “adoptive”?

“Adoptive” is pronounced uh-DOP-tihv (/əˈdɒptɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “adoptive” in a sentence?

Here is “adoptive” used in a sentence: “Her adoptive parents raised her from infancy.”

What is the opposite of “adoptive”?

The opposite of “adoptive” — its antonyms — are biological and blood.

What part of speech is “adoptive”?

“Adoptive” is an adjective.

Is “adoptive” a common word?

“Adoptive” is an uncommon word in modern English.

line blood stock origin organic biological borrowed physiological