verb

accept

uhk-SEHPT

verb

To agree to receive or take something that is offered.

"She happily accepted the job offer."

"He accepted the award on behalf of the whole team."

To acknowledge something as true or as a fact, even if reluctantly.

"It took him years to accept that the relationship was over."

To approve of and include someone, such as in a group or institution.

"She was accepted into her first-choice university."

How to Use Accept

Learner’s notes

In 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

except →

Common pairings

accept an offer accept responsibility widely accepted

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

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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").

Antonyms

reject decline

Related Words

abate increase accumulate buy retreat decline appoint outcast

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