Adopted vs. adoptive

What does adopted mean?

Adopted refers to the process of legally taking and bringing up a child or animal as one’s own. Adopted cannot be used to refer to the ones doing the adopting. Adopted can also mean to take on or assume a position or standpoint.

For example:

·      Betty the dog was adopted by a new family.

·      Betty adopted a cautious approach when she met her new family.

What does adoptive mean?

Adoptive refers to the relationship by adoption, either of a child or animal. Adoptive can also be used to refer to a place which someone has chosen as their home.

For example:

·      Betty’s adoptive parents gave her lots of treats.

·      Betty embraced living in her adoptive home of Happyville.

What’s the difference between adopted and adoptive?

Adopted refers to the process of legally taking and bringing up a child or animal as one’s own. However, adopted can’t be used to refer to the ones doing the adopting. Adoptive should be used instead, which refers to the relationship by adoption.

For example:

·      After Betty was adopted, her adoptive parents won her over by giving her lots of treats.