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
1
Related by adoption rather than by birth.
"My adoptive parents recently got to know my biological parents."
"Her adoptive parents raised her from infancy."
"He stayed close to his adoptive family throughout his life."
How to use adoptive
Learner’s notesIn 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
Common pairings
adoptive parents
adoptive family
adoptive father
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Her _____ parents raised her from infancy.
Etymology
From adopt + the adjective-forming suffix -ive.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for adoptive
See all rhymes for adoptive →Frequently asked questions
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.
