take
21 synonyms and 2 antonyms for take, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To reach out and get hold of something, or to remove or carry it away.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use take
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English tacan, borrowed from Old Norse taka ("to touch, take"), from a Germanic root meaning "to touch."
Full origin of take →Frequently asked questions
What does “take” mean?
The word “take” means to reach out and get hold of something, or to remove or carry it away. In plain terms, to get hold of, accept, or require something — one of the most common and flexible verbs in English, with dozens of idiomatic uses (take a break, take offense, take place).
How do you pronounce “take”?
“Take” is pronounced TAYK (/ˈteɪ̯k/ in IPA).
How do you use “take” in a sentence?
Here is “take” used in a sentence: “Can you take the trash out before you leave?”
What is another word for “take”?
Words with a similar meaning to “take” include appropriate, bag, annex, catch, expropriate and grab.
What is the opposite of “take”?
The opposite of “take” — its antonyms — are give and return.
What part of speech is “take”?
Depending on how it is used, “take” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “take” come from?
The word “take” comes from Old English. From Old English tacan, borrowed from Old Norse taka ("to touch, take"), from a Germanic root meaning "to touch.".
Is “take” a common word?
“Take” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between take and bring?
Both describe carrying something, but the direction differs. 'Bring' means to carry something toward the speaker or the place being discussed, as in 'bring it here.' 'Take' means to carry it away from that point, as in 'take it there.' Think of 'bring' as coming and 'take' as going, relative to where you are.
Is 'take' an irregular verb?
Yes. 'Take' does not follow the regular -ed pattern. Its past tense is 'took' and its past participle is 'taken,' as in 'she took the keys' and 'he had taken them.' The present participle is 'taking.' These forms must be memorised rather than worked out from a rule.
What are the different meanings of 'take'?
'Take' is one of English's most flexible verbs. Beyond grasping or carrying something away, it can mean to accept ('take advice'), to require ('it takes time'), to travel by ('take the bus'), to record ('take notes'), or to consume ('take medicine'). The following words decide the exact sense.
What is an example of 'take' in a sentence?
'Please take these books to the library' shows the core sense of carrying something away. 'She reached out to take his hand' shows getting hold of something. 'Take an umbrella in case it rains' shows removing an object and carrying it with you as you go.