tax
Short definition: The word tax means the money people are required to pay to the government, and it affects everyday life because it helps fund schools roads hospitals and other public services everyone depends on.
Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word tax? The word tax is most often connected to money and government, but in daily conversation it can also describe pressure, effort, or something that feels heavy. People talk about tax when they discuss salaries, shopping, and public services, and sometimes they use it in a more emotional way to talk about feeling tired or overwhelmed. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, so it feels real, human, and easy to understand.
Forms: tax, taxes, taxed, taxing
Related: taxation n., taxable adj.
Syllable: tax
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(Noun) Money that people or businesses must pay to the government to support public services.
A tax is money collected by the government to pay for things like schools, hospitals, roads, and public safety. People usually pay tax from their income, from buying goods, or from owning property, and this money helps keep society running.
He pays income tax every month.The price includes sales tax.Tax money helps build public roads.Synonyms: levy, duty, fee, charge, government payment, public contribution, tariff, assessment, contribution, revenue charge, official fee, state charge
Antonyms: refund, exemption, waiver, tax break, discount, free service, no charge, duty free, relief, rebate, free access, zero fee -
(Verb) To take money from someone as a required payment to the government.
To tax someone means to officially require them to pay money to the government based on income, sales, or property. This sense focuses on the action of collecting money rather than the money itself.
The government will tax luxury items.They taxed his income at a higher rate.Some countries tax digital services.Synonyms: charge, levy, impose a fee, collect money, demand payment, assess, apply a charge, require payment, bill, impose duty, collect tax, place a charge
Antonyms: refund, repay, exempt, waive, remove charges, cancel fees, give back, return money, relieve payment, free from charge, drop fees, forgive payment -
(Noun) A heavy demand on someone’s energy, time, or patience.
Tax can also mean something that feels like a burden, not in money but in effort. A long day at work can be a tax on your energy, and a stressful situation can be a tax on your patience.
The long meeting was a real tax on everyone’s patience.Raising three kids can be a tax on your energy.The heat was a big tax on the players.Synonyms: burden, strain, pressure, demand, stress, load, effort drain, energy drain, heavy demand, tough pull, mental load, hard work
Antonyms: relief, ease, comfort, rest, break, relaxation, support, help, assistance, refreshment, ease of mind, light work -
(Verb) To use up someone’s strength, patience, or mental energy.
To tax someone in this sense means to push them close to their limit. Hard work, long hours, or emotional stress can tax a person and make them feel tired or overwhelmed.
The long shift really taxed her energy.The constant noise taxed his patience.Studying all night taxed his focus.Synonyms: exhaust, drain, wear out, push hard, strain, tire, overwork, stress, pressure, stretch limits, sap energy, wear down
Antonyms: refresh, relax, energize, rest, restore, recharge, support, ease, help, comfort, strengthen, calm -
(Slang) Something that feels unfair, annoying, or too much to deal with.
In casual slang, people sometimes use tax to complain about something that feels like a burden, even when no money is involved. For example, they might say a situation “is such a tax” when it feels exhausting, unfair, or mentally heavy.
Dealing with that drama is such a tax.Waking up early every day feels like a real tax.All this paperwork is a total tax.Synonyms: hassle, pain, burden, headache, stress, annoyance, heavy load, emotional drain, tiring thing, exhausting task, mental weight, big bother
Antonyms: pleasure, ease, fun, enjoyment, relief, comfort, break, help, support, smooth experience, easy task, light work