accept
Accept (verb) means to agree to receive or take something that is offered. Example: “She happily accepted the job offer.”
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.
Don't confuse with except, which means "excluding" — "everyone accepted except John."
Word forms
more accept comparative, accepted past tense, accept plural, accepted plural, accepts plural, accepts singular, accept singular, accepted singular, acceptest singular, acceptedst singular, accepteth singular, most accept superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She happily _____ the job offer.
Etymology
From Latin acceptare, "to receive," built from ad- ("to") plus capere ("to take").
Synonyms
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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.'
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