Definition of take

Short definition: The word take means to get something, carry it, accept it, or do an action. People use it in many everyday situations, such as taking time, taking a break, taking responsibility, or taking part in an activity.

Looking for a clear and real-life explanation of the word take? Take is one of the most flexible verbs in English, and it shows up everywhere—from grabbing something with your hand, to accepting an offer, to handling responsibility, to describing time, emotions, and even reactions in conversation. Below you’ll find the most common meanings of take, explained in a relaxed way with long, natural examples.

Verb forms: take, takes, taking, took, taken
Related: takeaway n., taker n., taking n.
Syllable: take

1. (Verb) To pick something up or hold it, especially by using your hands, often because you want to move it, use it, or keep it.
   She gently took the baby’s hand and guided him across the street, making sure he didn’t trip on the uneven sidewalk.
   He took the keys from the table and placed them in his pocket, because he didn’t want to waste time searching later.
   Please take this package carefully, because it contains fragile glass and even a small drop could damage it.

   Synonyms: pick up, grasp, grab, seize, hold, lift, collect, gather, clutch, snatch, pocket, obtain
   Antonyms: drop, release, let go, put down, abandon, leave behind, return, give back, discard, throw away, lose, forfeit

2. (Verb) To carry something from one place to another; to bring it along with you.
   Don’t forget to take your umbrella with you, because the sky looks heavy and the rain usually starts without warning in the afternoon.
   He took his laptop to the café so he could work in a quieter environment and finish the report before the deadline.
   She took the documents to the office personally, just to make sure they arrived safely and didn’t get lost in delivery.

   Synonyms: carry, bring, transport, deliver, move, convey, haul, transfer, escort, cart, bear, ship
   Antonyms: leave, keep, store, hold back, retain, set aside, put away, stay, abandon, forget, misplace, withhold

3. (Verb) To accept or receive something that is offered, given, or available.
   I’ll take the offer, but I want to read the details carefully first, because I don’t want surprises later.
   She took the job even though it was challenging, because she knew it would help her grow professionally.
   If you don’t want the last slice, I’ll take it, since I haven’t eaten much all day.

   Synonyms: accept, receive, choose, agree to, adopt, obtain, get, welcome, take up, approve, go for, embrace
   Antonyms: refuse, reject, decline, return, deny, pass on, dismiss, forgo, avoid, renounce, disallow, spurn

4. (Verb) To remove something from a place, position, or person.
   He took the book from the shelf and put it in his bag, planning to read it on the train ride home.
   The nurse took a small sample of blood, explained the procedure calmly, and reassured the patient that it would be quick.
   She took the photo off the wall because it brought back difficult memories she wasn’t ready to face.

   Synonyms: remove, lift, extract, withdraw, take away, pull off, detach, strip, subtract, seize, retrieve, eliminate
   Antonyms: add, attach, install, replace, restore, return, insert, put back, fasten, include, contribute, supply

5. (Verb) To consume or use something, especially food, medicine, or substances.
   You should take this medicine after meals, because it can upset your stomach if you swallow it on an empty stomach.
   He took a sip of coffee and paused for a moment, as if the warmth helped him think more clearly.
   She tries not to take too much sugar, since she wants to feel healthier and avoid energy crashes during the day.

   Synonyms: consume, eat, drink, swallow, ingest, use, have, dose, medicate, partake, absorb, administer
   Antonyms: avoid, abstain, refuse, reject, skip, refrain, stop, quit, spit out, fast, shun, renounce

6. (Verb) To need a certain amount of time, effort, or resources to complete something.
   This task will take about two hours if you focus, but it could take longer if you keep getting interrupted.
   Learning a new language takes patience and consistent practice, not just motivation for a few days.
   It took a lot of courage for him to apologize, because he had to admit he was wrong in front of everyone.

   Synonyms: require, need, demand, involve, call for, consume, use up, cost (time), occupy, entail, necessitate, draw on
   Antonyms: save, spare, conserve, shorten, reduce, cut, simplify, streamline, minimize, lighten, ease, quicken

7. (Verb) To choose or select something from options, often in a casual way.
   I’ll take the window seat, because I like watching the view and it helps me feel less restless during long trips.
   She took the blue dress instead of the black one, since it felt more cheerful and suited the event better.
   If you’re not sure, just take the simplest option first, and you can upgrade later if needed.

   Synonyms: choose, select, pick, opt for, decide on, prefer, go with, settle on, adopt, single out, nominate, designate
   Antonyms: reject, refuse, rule out, skip, avoid, pass up, discard, ignore, turn down, exclude, dismiss, decline

8. (Verb) To take responsibility, control, or charge of a situation.
   She took control of the meeting when the discussion became messy, and calmly guided everyone back to the main topic.
   He decided to take responsibility for the mistake, because blaming others would only create more problems.
   Sometimes you need to take the lead, especially when people are waiting for direction.

   Synonyms: assume, accept responsibility, take charge, lead, manage, handle, control, oversee, direct, run, take ownership, command
   Antonyms: avoid responsibility, relinquish, surrender, abdicate, neglect, ignore duties, evade, step aside, abandon leadership, resign, give up control, defer

9. (Verb) To understand or interpret something in a particular way, often based on tone or context.
   Don’t take my comment the wrong way—I wasn’t criticizing you, I was only trying to be honest so we can improve together.
   He took her silence as agreement, but later realized she was simply tired and didn’t want to argue.
   She took the joke personally, even though it wasn’t aimed at her, which made the situation awkward.

   Synonyms: interpret, understand, perceive, read, view, regard, consider, see as, construe, assume, take as, infer
   Antonyms: misinterpret, misunderstand, misread, distort, ignore context, overlook meaning, dismiss, disregard, miss the point, confuse, misconstrue, take wrongly

10. (Noun) A recorded attempt of a scene, sound, or performance, especially in film or audio production.
    The director asked for another take because the actor’s timing was slightly off and the emotion didn’t feel natural.
    They did three takes of the same line until the voice sounded clear, smooth, and consistent with the character.
    The final take was the best one, because it captured the exact mood they wanted without forcing it.

    Synonyms: recording, attempt, shot, run-through, version, try, capture, performance pass, cut, draft recording, repetition, retake
    Antonyms: final edit, finished cut, completed version, master, release version, end product, final mix, last draft, polished result, approved cut, published version, definitive version