# retake

/ˈɹiˈteɪk/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/retake
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a second chance to do something, like an exam or a scene in a movie, because the first try was not good enough.

For teachers: an instance of repeating a performance, such as a film scene or an academic examination, following a previous failure or technical error.

## Examples

- I need a retake because I failed the first test.
- The director called for a retake of the final scene because a car drove through the background of the shot.
- While some students view a retake as a safety net, others find the pressure of a second attempt even more taxing than the initial examination.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.