accept
uhk-SEHPT
Accept (verb) means to agree to receive or take something that is offered. Example: “Would you like to accept a cup of tea from our neighbour?”
verb
1
To agree to receive or take something that is offered.
"Would you like to accept a cup of tea from our neighbour?"
"She happily accepted the job offer."
"He accepted the award on behalf of the whole team."
2
To acknowledge something as true or as a fact, even if reluctantly.
"You must accept that nobody can be perfect at everything."
"I accept that I made a mistake, and I am sorry."
"It took him years to accept that the relationship was over."
3
To approve of and include someone, such as in a group or institution.
"The club happily accepts new members of any age."
"He felt that the other children had finally accepted him as one of the group."
"She was accepted into her first-choice university."
How to use accept
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo say yes to something offered, to acknowledge something as true, or to let someone into a group.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with except, which means "excluding" — "everyone accepted except John."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
accept an offer
accept responsibility
widely accepted
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like accept.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- accepts
- Third person singular
- accepts
- Past tense
- accepted
- Comparative
- more accept
- Superlative
- most accept
- Archaic forms
- acceptest, acceptedst, accepteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Would you like to _____ a cup of tea from our neighbour?
Etymology
From Latin acceptare, "to receive," built from ad- ("to") plus capere ("to take").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “accept” mean?
The word “accept” means to agree to receive or take something that is offered. In plain terms, to say yes to something offered, to acknowledge something as true, or to let someone into a group.
How do you pronounce “accept”?
“Accept” is pronounced uhk-SEHPT (/əkˈsɛpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “accept” in a sentence?
Here is “accept” used in a sentence: “She happily accepted the job offer.”
What is the opposite of “accept”?
The opposite of “accept” — its antonyms — are reject and decline.
What part of speech is “accept”?
“Accept” is a verb.
Where does the word “accept” come from?
The word “accept” comes from Latin. From Latin acceptare, "to receive," built from ad- ("to") plus capere ("to take").
Is “accept” a common word?
“Accept” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “accept” have?
“Accept” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to agree to receive or take something that is offered.
What is the difference between accept and except?
Accept is a verb meaning to agree to receive or take something offered, as in 'accept a gift.' Except is usually a preposition meaning 'not including,' as in 'everyone except me.' They sound similar but are unrelated: you accept what you take in, and except what you leave out.
What is the opposite of accept?
The main opposites are reject, refuse, and decline, all meaning to turn something down rather than take it. 'Decline' is the politest, 'refuse' is firmer, and 'reject' is the most emphatic. Which fits best depends on how strongly and formally you are saying no.
What is the difference between accept and agree?
To accept is to receive or take something that is offered — an invitation, a gift, or a decision. To agree is to share the same opinion or consent to a proposal. You can accept an outcome you don't agree with, simply by choosing to go along with it.
What is an example of accept in a sentence?
You might 'accept a job offer,' 'accept an apology,' or 'accept a parcel at the door.' In each case you are agreeing to take or receive what is being offered. It can also mean coming to terms with something, as in 'she accepted the news calmly.'
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include accept:
