verb
Very common
taken
TAY-kn
Taken (verb) means past participle of take. Example: “She has taken the exam three times already.”
verb
1
Past participle of take.
"She has taken the exam three times already."
"The last seat on the bus has already been taken."
"I have taken a lot of photos on this holiday."
adj
1
Already occupied or claimed; unavailable.
"Sorry, that seat is taken."
"All the good usernames were already taken."
"I wanted to book that table by the window, but it was already taken."
2
Emotionally captivated or impressed by someone or something.
"He was clearly taken with her from the moment they met."
"Everyone in the audience was completely taken with the young pianist."
"I was quite taken by the little village and its quiet streets."
How to use taken
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe past participle of "take" — also used as an adjective meaning already occupied, or (informally) charmed by someone.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
seat is taken
taken with someone
taken aback
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Etymology
From Old English tacen, the past participle of the verb take, formed with the -n ending typical of strong verbs.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for taken
See all rhymes for taken →Frequently asked questions
What does “taken” mean?
The word “taken” means past participle of take. In plain terms, the past participle of "take" — also used as an adjective meaning already occupied, or (informally) charmed by someone.
How do you pronounce “taken”?
“Taken” is pronounced TAY-kn (/ˈteɪ.kn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “taken” in a sentence?
Here is “taken” used in a sentence: “She has taken the exam three times already.”
What part of speech is “taken”?
Depending on how it is used, “taken” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “taken” come from?
The word “taken” comes from Old English. From Old English tacen, the past participle of the verb take, formed with the -n ending typical of strong verbs.
Is “taken” a common word?
“Taken” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “taken” have?
“Taken” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: past participle of take.
Is 'taken' the past tense of take?
Not quite. 'Taken' is the past participle, used with have or be — I have taken, it was taken. The simple past tense of take is 'took': I took it yesterday. So you say 'she took the key' but 'the key has been taken.' The two forms are not interchangeable.
What does it mean when someone is 'taken'?
In casual speech, saying a person is 'taken' means they are already in a romantic relationship and therefore not available to date. It mirrors the idea of a seat being taken — already claimed. It is informal and a little playful, the opposite of being single or available.
What does 'taken aback' mean?
To be taken aback is to be suddenly surprised, startled or shocked, usually by something unexpected. The phrase comes from sailing, where a sudden wind could press a ship's sails back against the mast and halt it. Today it simply describes being momentarily stunned or disconcerted.
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