What does retaken mean?
Retaken means taken again, and it most often describes something that has been recovered after being lost, surrendered, released, or briefly captured. The word is especially common in reports of military action, where a town, fortress, or stretch of territory may be said to have been retaken. It also has practical uses: an examination can be retaken, and a participant or vehicle can retake a position, seat, or part of a course. In these contexts, retaken emphasizes repetition rather than a wholly new action. The word is the past participle of retake and is normally used with an auxiliary, as in “the area was retaken” or “the test has been retaken.” It is understood throughout British and American English.
Taken, seized, occupied, or otherwise obtained a second time.
"The abandoned vehicle was retaken by the authorities."
Used after an auxiliary verb, especially have been or was.
Taken again, such as an examination that is being offered or completed for a second time.
"Students must complete the retaken assessment before the end of term."
Common in educational and administrative contexts.
Retaken captures the idea of a second capture: a place, position, or opportunity returns in a new round.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does retaken come from?
Retaken was formed by adding the prefix re- to take, with the past participle ending -en. The prefix re-, meaning “again,” was already established in English by the medieval period and could be attached to many verbs. The resulting verb retake developed in the language, while retaken became its regular past participle.
Related word forms
How retaken is actually used
Retaken is normally used as the past participle of retake and appears after an auxiliary such as has been, was, or is being. It is understood in British and US English.
Easily confused with retaken
Retake is the base verb form, while retaken is its past participle, used after has been, is being, or a similar auxiliary.