Pronunciation: [ɐdˈɒptiː] (IPA) 
The word "adoptee" refers to a person who has been legally adopted. In terms of spelling, it is pronounced as /ædɒpˈtiː/ (ad-op-TEE) in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "ad" is pronounced as in the word "add" /æd/, followed by "op" pronounced as in "opera" /ɒp/, and the final syllable "tee" rhymes with "see" /tiː/. The spelling of the word "adoptee" is therefore directly reflective of its pronunciation.
An "adoptee" refers to an individual who has been legally and permanently adopted into a family other than their biological one. This term specifically applies to persons who have undergone the process of adoption, where they are legally taken into custody and raised by parents who are not biologically related to them. An adoptee may have been orphaned or unable to be cared for by their biological parents due to various circumstances. Adoption typically involves the transfer of legal rights and responsibilities from the biological parents or guardians to the adoptive parents.
The term "adoptee" emphasizes a person's status as being adopted and identifies them as someone who has experienced a unique upbringing within a family that they did not share a genetic connection with. This word acknowledges the individual's journey of being chosen and embraced as part of their adoptive family, highlighting that their family bonds are based on love, commitment, and legal arrangements rather than biological ties.
Adoptees often have complex stories and may have experienced a range of emotions and challenges related to their adoption, including identity exploration, searching for biological family members, and coping with any feelings of loss or grief. Their experiences can be diverse and influenced by factors such as their age at adoption, cultural background, and the circumstances surrounding their adoption.
The word "adoptee" is formed from the verb "adopt", which comes from the Latin word "adoptare". "Adoptare" is a combination of the prefix "ad-" meaning "to, towards" and the verb "optare" meaning "to choose, select". In Latin, "adoptare" meant "to choose as one's own child". Over time, the word "adopt" was borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-Norman, and eventually, the term "adoptee" emerged to refer to a person who has been adopted.
