adopt and follow share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. adopt means “choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans”. follow means “to travel behind, go after, come after”. follow is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/əˈdɑpt/
1.v.choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
“She followed the feminist movement”
2.v.take up and practice as one's own
3.v.take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
“When will the new President assume office?”
/ˈfɑloʊ/
1.v.to travel behind, go after, come after
“The ducklings followed their mother around the pond”
2.v.be later in time
“Tuesday always follows Monday”
3.v.come as a logical consequence; follow logically
“It follows that your assertion is false”
| adopt | follow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /əˈdɑpt/ | /ˈfɑloʊ/ |
| Said | uh-DAHPT | FAH-loh |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 5 | 6 |
| Parts of speech | verb | verb |
| Senses | 7 | 24 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | follow, espouse | none recorded |
Full entry for adopt · Full entry for follow · More comparisons