Adopt and Borrow

Adopt

Adopt verb - To take for one's own use (something originated by another).
Usage example: shortly after moving to the U.S., the family dutifully adopted the American tradition of having turkey for Thanksgiving

Borrow is a synonym for adopt in assume topic. In some cases you can use "Borrow" instead a verb "Adopt", when it comes to topics like possession, get. popular alternative

Borrow

Borrow verb - To take for one's own use (something originated by another).
Usage example: borrowed the basic plot from a book of tales, but put her personal stamp on the story

Adopt is a synonym for borrow in assume topic. You can use "Adopt" instead a verb "Borrow", if it concerns topics such as appropriate, possession, get, steal. popular alternative

Nearby Words: borrowing, borrower

Common collocations

baby adopt baby borrow baby
idea adopt idea borrow idea
name adopt name borrow name
number adopt number borrow number
Other words: pair, dog, names, traits, abilities.
Cite this Source
Borrow and Adopt. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/adopt/borrow
Adopt & Borrow. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/adopt/borrow>.
Borrow or Adopt. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/adopt/borrow.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "adopt" and "borrow" have occurred on timeline