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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
take verb (took , taken, taking) 1 (often take something down, off or out, etc) to reach out for and grasp, lift or pull, etc (something chosen or known); to grasp or enter, etc something for use • take a book from the shelf. 2 to carry, conduct or lead someone or something to another place. 3 to do or perform something • take a walk • take one's revenge. 4 to get, receive, occupy, obtain, rent or buy something. 5 to agree to have or accept something • take advice • take office. 6 to accept something as true or valid • take her word for it. 7 to adopt or commit oneself to someone or something • take a decision. 8 to endure or put up with someone or something • cannot take his arrogance. 9 to need or require • It will take all day to finish. 10 to use (eg a bus or train) as a means of transport. 11 to make (a written note of something) • take the minutes of the meeting. 12 to make (a photographic record); to make a photographic record of someone or something • decided to take a few colour slides • Shall I take you standing by the bridge? 13 to study or teach (a subject, etc). 14 to remove, use or borrow something without permission. 15 to proceed to occupy something • take a seat. 16 to come or derive from something or someone • a quotation taken from Camus. 17 to have room to hold or strength to support something • The shelf won't take any more books. 18 to consider someone or something as an example. 19 to consider or think of someone or something in a particular way; to mistakenly consider them to be someone or something • took her to be a teacher • Do you take me for a fool? 20 to capture or win. 21 (usually be taken with someone) to be charmed and delighted by them. 22 to eat or drink • take medicine • I don't take sugar in coffee. 23 to conduct or lead someone • This road will take you the station. 24 to be in charge or control of something; to run • take the meeting. 25 to react to or receive (news, etc) in a specified way. 26 to feel something • take pride in one's work. 27 to turn to someone or something for (help or refuge, etc). 28 (also take something away or off) to subtract or remove it. 29 to go down or into something • took the first road on the left. 30 to deal with or consider • take the first two questions together. 31 intrans to have or produce the expected or desired effect • The vaccination didn't take. 32 intrans said of seeds, etc: to begin to send out roots and grow. 33 to measure • take a temperature. 34 intrans to become suddenly (ill, etc). 35 to understand • I take him to mean he isn't coming. 36 to have sexual intercourse with someone. noun 1 a scene filmed or piece of music recorded during an uninterrupted period of filming or recording. 2 the amount or number taken (eg of fish caught) at one time. 3 the amount of money taken in a shop or business, etc over a particular period of time • the day's take. take a degree to study for and obtain a university or college degree. take it 1 to be able to bear suffering, trouble or difficulty, etc • Tell me the worst. I can take it. 2 to assume • I take it you can come. take it from me you can believe me. take it out of someone colloq to exhaust their strength or energy. take it out on someone colloq to vent one's anger or frustration on an innocent person. take it upon oneself to take responsibility. take the air old use to go for a walk. take to the air said of young birds, etc: to start to fly.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon tacan.
take after someone to resemble them in appearance or character. take against someone to dislike them immediately. take someone apart to criticize or defeat them severely. take something apart to separate it into pieces or components. take someone back 1 to make them remember the past. 2 to receive back a former partner or lover, etc after an estrangement. take something back 1 to withdraw or retract (a statement or promise). 2 to regain possession of it. 3 to return it to an original or former position. 4 to return (something bought from a shop) for an exchange or refund. take someone down 1 to escort them to dinner. 2 to make them less powerful or self-important; to humble • take him down a peg or two. take something down 1 to make a written note or record of it. 2 to demolish or dismantle it. 3 to lower it. take someone in 1 to include them. 2 to give them accommodation or shelter. 3 to deceive or cheat them. take something in 1 to include it. 2 to understand and remember it. 3 to make (a piece of clothing) smaller. 4 to do (paid work of a specified kind) in one's home • take in washing. 5 to include a visit to (a place). take off 1 said of an aircraft or its passengers: to leave the ground. See also take-off. 2 to depart or set out. 3 colloq said of a scheme or product, etc: to become popular and successful and expand quickly. take someone off 1 to imitate or mimic them, especially for comic effect. See also take-off. 2 (take oneself off) to go away • took herself off to Paris for the weekend. take something off 1 said especially of a piece of clothing: to remove it. 2 to deduct it. 3 to spend a period of time away from work on holiday, resting, etc • took two days off. take on colloq to be greatly upset or distraught. take someone on 1 to give them employment. 2 to challenge or compete with them • We took them on at snooker. take something on 1 to agree to do it; to undertake it. 2 to acquire (a new meaning, quality or appearance, etc). 3 said of an aircraft, ship, etc: to admit (new passengers) or put (a new supply of fuel or cargo, etc) on board. take someone out 1 to go out with them or escort them in public. 2 slang to kill, defeat or destroy them. take something out 1 to remove or extract it. 2 to obtain it on application • take out a warrant. take over or take something over to assume control, management or ownership of it. See also takeover. take to someone to develop a liking for them • took to him straight away. take to something 1 to develop a liking for it. 2 to begin to do it regularly. 3 to turn to it as a remedy or for refuge • After the break-up, he took to drink. take someone up to become their patron or supporter. take something up 1 to lift or raise it. 2 to use or occupy (space or time). 3 to become interested in it and begin to do it • take up the violin. 4 (usually be taken up with something) to be absorbed by it. 5 to shorten (a piece of clothing). 6 to resume (a story or account, etc) after a pause. 7 to assume or adopt • take up residence in July. 8 to accept (an offer). take someone up on something 1 to accept their offer, proposal or challenge, etc. 2 to discuss (a point or issue) first raised by them. take up with someone to become friendly with them; to begin to associate with them. take something up with someone to discuss it with them. |
take verb (took , taken, taking) 1 (often take something down, off or out, etc) to reach out for and grasp, lift or pull, etc (something chosen or known); to grasp or enter, etc something for use • take a book from the shelf. 2 to carry, conduct or lead someone or something to another place. 3 to do or perform something • take a walk • take one's revenge. 4 to get, receive, occupy, obtain, rent or buy something. 5 to agree to have or accept something • take advice • take office. 6 to accept something as true or valid • take her word for it. 7 to adopt or commit oneself to someone or something • take a decision. 8 to endure or put up with someone or something • cannot take his arrogance. 9 to need or require • It will take all day to finish. 10 to use (eg a bus or train) as a means of transport. 11 to make (a written note of something) • take the minutes of the meeting. 12 to make (a photographic record); to make a photographic record of someone or something • decided to take a few colour slides • Shall I take you standing by the bridge? 13 to study or teach (a subject, etc). 14 to remove, use or borrow something without permission. 15 to proceed to occupy something • take a seat. 16 to come or derive from something or someone • a quotation taken from Camus. 17 to have room to hold or strength to support something • The shelf won't take any more books. 18 to consider someone or something as an example. 19 to consider or think of someone or something in a particular way; to mistakenly consider them to be someone or something • took her to be a teacher • Do you take me for a fool? 20 to capture or win. 21 (usually be taken with someone) to be charmed and delighted by them. 22 to eat or drink • take medicine • I don't take sugar in coffee. 23 to conduct or lead someone • This road will take you the station. 24 to be in charge or control of something; to run • take the meeting. 25 to react to or receive (news, etc) in a specified way. 26 to feel something • take pride in one's work. 27 to turn to someone or something for (help or refuge, etc). 28 (also take something away or off) to subtract or remove it. 29 to go down or into something • took the first road on the left. 30 to deal with or consider • take the first two questions together. 31 intrans to have or produce the expected or desired effect • The vaccination didn't take. 32 intrans said of seeds, etc: to begin to send out roots and grow. 33 to measure • take a temperature. 34 intrans to become suddenly (ill, etc). 35 to understand • I take him to mean he isn't coming. 36 to have sexual intercourse with someone. noun 1 a scene filmed or piece of music recorded during an uninterrupted period of filming or recording. 2 the amount or number taken (eg of fish caught) at one time. 3 the amount of money taken in a shop or business, etc over a particular period of time • the day's take. take a degree to study for and obtain a university or college degree. take it 1 to be able to bear suffering, trouble or difficulty, etc • Tell me the worst. I can take it. 2 to assume • I take it you can come. take it from me you can believe me. take it out of someone colloq to exhaust their strength or energy. take it out on someone colloq to vent one's anger or frustration on an innocent person. take it upon oneself to take responsibility. take the air old use to go for a walk. take to the air said of young birds, etc: to start to fly.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon tacan.
take after someone to resemble them in appearance or character. take against someone to dislike them immediately. take someone apart to criticize or defeat them severely. take something apart to separate it into pieces or components. take someone back 1 to make them remember the past. 2 to receive back a former partner or lover, etc after an estrangement. take something back 1 to withdraw or retract (a statement or promise). 2 to regain possession of it. 3 to return it to an original or former position. 4 to return (something bought from a shop) for an exchange or refund. take someone down 1 to escort them to dinner. 2 to make them less powerful or self-important; to humble • take him down a peg or two. take something down 1 to make a written note or record of it. 2 to demolish or dismantle it. 3 to lower it. take someone in 1 to include them. 2 to give them accommodation or shelter. 3 to deceive or cheat them. take something in 1 to include it. 2 to understand and remember it. 3 to make (a piece of clothing) smaller. 4 to do (paid work of a specified kind) in one's home • take in washing. 5 to include a visit to (a place). take off 1 said of an aircraft or its passengers: to leave the ground. See also take-off. 2 to depart or set out. 3 colloq said of a scheme or product, etc: to become popular and successful and expand quickly. take someone off 1 to imitate or mimic them, especially for comic effect. See also take-off. 2 (take oneself off) to go away • took herself off to Paris for the weekend. take something off 1 said especially of a piece of clothing: to remove it. 2 to deduct it. 3 to spend a period of time away from work on holiday, resting, etc • took two days off. take on colloq to be greatly upset or distraught. take someone on 1 to give them employment. 2 to challenge or compete with them • We took them on at snooker. take something on 1 to agree to do it; to undertake it. 2 to acquire (a new meaning, quality or appearance, etc). 3 said of an aircraft, ship, etc: to admit (new passengers) or put (a new supply of fuel or cargo, etc) on board. take someone out 1 to go out with them or escort them in public. 2 slang to kill, defeat or destroy them. take something out 1 to remove or extract it. 2 to obtain it on application • take out a warrant. take over or take something over to assume control, management or ownership of it. See also takeover. take to someone to develop a liking for them • took to him straight away. take to something 1 to develop a liking for it. 2 to begin to do it regularly. 3 to turn to it as a remedy or for refuge • After the break-up, he took to drink. take someone up to become their patron or supporter. take something up 1 to lift or raise it. 2 to use or occupy (space or time). 3 to become interested in it and begin to do it • take up the violin. 4 (usually be taken up with something) to be absorbed by it. 5 to shorten (a piece of clothing). 6 to resume (a story or account, etc) after a pause. 7 to assume or adopt • take up residence in July. 8 to accept (an offer). take someone up on something 1 to accept their offer, proposal or challenge, etc. 2 to discuss (a point or issue) first raised by them. take up with someone to become friendly with them; to begin to associate with them. take something up with someone to discuss it with them. |
take verb (took , taken, taking) 1 (often take something down, off or out, etc) to reach out for and grasp, lift or pull, etc (something chosen or known); to grasp or enter, etc something for use • take a book from the shelf. 2 to carry, conduct or lead someone or something to another place. 3 to do or perform something • take a walk • take one's revenge. 4 to get, receive, occupy, obtain, rent or buy something. 5 to agree to have or accept something • take advice • take office. 6 to accept something as true or valid • take her word for it. 7 to adopt or commit oneself to someone or something • take a decision. 8 to endure or put up with someone or something • cannot take his arrogance. 9 to need or require • It will take all day to finish. 10 to use (eg a bus or train) as a means of transport. 11 to make (a written note of something) • take the minutes of the meeting. 12 to make (a photographic record); to make a photographic record of someone or something • decided to take a few colour slides • Shall I take you standing by the bridge? 13 to study or teach (a subject, etc). 14 to remove, use or borrow something without permission. 15 to proceed to occupy something • take a seat. 16 to come or derive from something or someone • a quotation taken from Camus. 17 to have room to hold or strength to support something • The shelf won't take any more books. 18 to consider someone or something as an example. 19 to consider or think of someone or something in a particular way; to mistakenly consider them to be someone or something • took her to be a teacher • Do you take me for a fool? 20 to capture or win. 21 (usually be taken with someone) to be charmed and delighted by them. 22 to eat or drink • take medicine • I don't take sugar in coffee. 23 to conduct or lead someone • This road will take you the station. 24 to be in charge or control of something; to run • take the meeting. 25 to react to or receive (news, etc) in a specified way. 26 to feel something • take pride in one's work. 27 to turn to someone or something for (help or refuge, etc). 28 (also take something away or off) to subtract or remove it. 29 to go down or into something • took the first road on the left. 30 to deal with or consider • take the first two questions together. 31 intrans to have or produce the expected or desired effect • The vaccination didn't take. 32 intrans said of seeds, etc: to begin to send out roots and grow. 33 to measure • take a temperature. 34 intrans to become suddenly (ill, etc). 35 to understand • I take him to mean he isn't coming. 36 to have sexual intercourse with someone. noun 1 a scene filmed or piece of music recorded during an uninterrupted period of filming or recording. 2 the amount or number taken (eg of fish caught) at one time. 3 the amount of money taken in a shop or business, etc over a particular period of time • the day's take. take a degree to study for and obtain a university or college degree. take it 1 to be able to bear suffering, trouble or difficulty, etc • Tell me the worst. I can take it. 2 to assume • I take it you can come. take it from me you can believe me. take it out of someone colloq to exhaust their strength or energy. take it out on someone colloq to vent one's anger or frustration on an innocent person. take it upon oneself to take responsibility. take the air old use to go for a walk. take to the air said of young birds, etc: to start to fly.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon tacan.
take after someone to resemble them in appearance or character. take against someone to dislike them immediately. take someone apart to criticize or defeat them severely. take something apart to separate it into pieces or components. take someone back 1 to make them remember the past. 2 to receive back a former partner or lover, etc after an estrangement. take something back 1 to withdraw or retract (a statement or promise). 2 to regain possession of it. 3 to return it to an original or former position. 4 to return (something bought from a shop) for an exchange or refund. take someone down 1 to escort them to dinner. 2 to make them less powerful or self-important; to humble • take him down a peg or two. take something down 1 to make a written note or record of it. 2 to demolish or dismantle it. 3 to lower it. take someone in 1 to include them. 2 to give them accommodation or shelter. 3 to deceive or cheat them. take something in 1 to include it. 2 to understand and remember it. 3 to make (a piece of clothing) smaller. 4 to do (paid work of a specified kind) in one's home • take in washing. 5 to include a visit to (a place). take off 1 said of an aircraft or its passengers: to leave the ground. See also take-off. 2 to depart or set out. 3 colloq said of a scheme or product, etc: to become popular and successful and expand quickly. take someone off 1 to imitate or mimic them, especially for comic effect. See also take-off. 2 (take oneself off) to go away • took herself off to Paris for the weekend. take something off 1 said especially of a piece of clothing: to remove it. 2 to deduct it. 3 to spend a period of time away from work on holiday, resting, etc • took two days off. take on colloq to be greatly upset or distraught. take someone on 1 to give them employment. 2 to challenge or compete with them • We took them on at snooker. take something on 1 to agree to do it; to undertake it. 2 to acquire (a new meaning, quality or appearance, etc). 3 said of an aircraft, ship, etc: to admit (new passengers) or put (a new supply of fuel or cargo, etc) on board. take someone out 1 to go out with them or escort them in public. 2 slang to kill, defeat or destroy them. take something out 1 to remove or extract it. 2 to obtain it on application • take out a warrant. take over or take something over to assume control, management or ownership of it. See also takeover. take to someone to develop a liking for them • took to him straight away. take to something 1 to develop a liking for it. 2 to begin to do it regularly. 3 to turn to it as a remedy or for refuge • After the break-up, he took to drink. take someone up to become their patron or supporter. take something up 1 to lift or raise it. 2 to use or occupy (space or time). 3 to become interested in it and begin to do it • take up the violin. 4 (usually be taken up with something) to be absorbed by it. 5 to shorten (a piece of clothing). 6 to resume (a story or account, etc) after a pause. 7 to assume or adopt • take up residence in July. 8 to accept (an offer). take someone up on something 1 to accept their offer, proposal or challenge, etc. 2 to discuss (a point or issue) first raised by them. take up with someone to become friendly with them; to begin to associate with them. take something up with someone to discuss it with them. |
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The Chambers Dictionary (13th edition)
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The Chambers Thesaurus
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Chambers Biographical Dictionary
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Thoroughly revised and updated for its 9th edition.
Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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