adoptee

noun

adopt·​ee ə-ˌdäp-ˈtē How to pronounce adoptee (audio)
: one who is adopted

Examples of adoptee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Bardy said that Paws in the Park is a welcome chance to see familiar faces — gathering together past adoptees in once place. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026 Anna and Emily are the Korean adoptees of white parents. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026 Anna plays a Korean adoptee living with disability who has to take care of both of her older, adoptive parents, one of whom dies and the other of whom is suffering memory loss. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026 The feature’s lead male role was originally written for a white actor, but when Sukku — a very popular Korean actor — expressed interest in the project, Ahn rewrote the character to be a Korean American adoptee. Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adoptee

Word History

Etymology

adopt + -ee entry 1

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adoptee was in 1804

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Cite this Entry

“Adoptee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoptee. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Legal Definition

adoptee

noun
adopt·​ee ə-ˌdäp-ˈtē How to pronounce adoptee (audio)
: a person who is adopted

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