What does take mean?
Take is an exceptionally versatile English verb whose basic sense is to grasp or receive something. In everyday use it can also mean to carry or remove something, consume food or medicine, undertake a task, endure an experience, understand a subject, capture or seize something, or begin an action. Phrases such as take place, take part, take action, and take advantage of are central to its idiomatic use. The verb takes different grammatical complements depending on its meaning: it may be followed by an object, an infinitive, or a gerund. As a noun, take is informal and can refer to an attempt, an interpretation, or a single performance or recording. Its broad range makes it especially useful for expressing actions involving possession, movement, response, responsibility, and experience.
To grasp or hold something; to receive, accept, or assume possession of it. It also means to undertake, endure, understand, consume, convey, remove, or capture, according to context.
"The company took responsibility for repairing the damaged building."
The meaning is highly context-dependent. Constructions include take an object, take to doing something, and take the infinitive form of a verb.
An informal term for an attempt, interpretation, or single performance or recording.
"The director liked the first take of the scene."
Less common and more informal than the verb; it is especially used in creative, media, and conversational contexts.
Take is one of English's great all-purpose verbs: in a single sentence, it can mean grasp, consume, understand, transport, endure, or capture.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of take
The word comes from Old English tacan, meaning to grasp, touch, or take hold. It developed through Middle English and is related to forms in other Germanic languages, including Old Norse taka. The modern past tense took reflects the historical development of the strong verb, while the past participle taken shows the same pattern.
Related word forms
How take is actually used
The verb is highly versatile, so its meaning is usually established by the object or accompanying construction. Some uses are formal, such as take measures or take responsibility, while others are informal, such as take a break or take off. In photography, film, and music, a take is an individual attempt or recorded performance.
Easily confused with take
A tale is a story, while a take is an act of grasping, receiving, or understanding.
Steak is a cut of meat, while take is a verb meaning to grasp, receive, or undertake something.