# take

/ˈteɪk/ (US) · /tˈeɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/take
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to carry or move

verb · CEFR A1

to carry or move something or someone from one place to another.

For teachers: to carry, convey, or lead something or someone from one location to another; often implies movement away from the speaker.

- Please take these documents to the manager's office on the third floor.
- The courier was instructed to take the sensitive documents directly to the embassy without making any intermediate stops.

### 2. to reach for or get

verb · CEFR A1

to reach out and get something with your hands.

For teachers: to lay hold of something; to grasp or grip using one's hands or a tool.

- He took her hand as they walked through the crowded market.
- She took the heavy iron key from the hook and struggled to turn it in the rusted lock.

### 3. to use transport

verb · CEFR A1

to use a bus, train, or car to travel.

For teachers: to use a particular form of transport as a passenger.

- I usually take the bus to work because parking is too expensive.
- To reach the remote village, travelers must take a ferry across the river and then hire a local guide.

### 4. to need time or effort

verb · CEFR A1

to require a certain amount of time or a specific thing.

For teachers: to require or necessitate a specific resource, such as time, effort, or a particular quality.

- It takes about twenty minutes to walk from the station to the hotel.
- Mastering a musical instrument takes years of dedicated practice and a significant amount of patience.

### 5. to ingest medicine

verb · CEFR A2

to swallow medicine or drugs.

For teachers: to ingest or consume medicine, typically by swallowing or inhalation.

- You should take this pill twice a day after your meals.
- The patient was advised to take the antibiotics for the full ten-day course to ensure the infection was completely cleared.

### 6. to capture a photo

verb · CEFR A1

to use a camera to record an image.

For teachers: to record an image or scene using a camera or similar device.

- We took hundreds of photos during our trip to the mountains.
- The photographer waited for the perfect light before taking the final shot of the cathedral.

### 7. to accept or endure

verb · CEFR B1

to accept something or deal with a difficult situation.

For teachers: to accept, receive, or endure a situation, often without complaint or resistance.

- He took the criticism well and promised to improve his work.
- The company had to take a significant financial loss after the project failed to attract investors.

### 8. an opinion

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

your personal opinion or way of thinking about a situation.

For teachers: a particular interpretation, perspective, or assessment of a situation or topic.

- What's your take on the new office policy?
- The political analyst offered a controversial take on the recent election results, suggesting that voter turnout was lower than reported.

### 9. film recording

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

one version of a scene recorded for a movie.

For teachers: a single continuous recorded performance or scene in film or music production.

- The director was happy with the third take and moved to the next scene.
- After several failed takes due to background noise, the actors finally managed a perfect performance of the emotional monologue.

## Examples

- I take the bus to work every day.
- Please take these books back to the library when you have a chance.
- The new CEO will take the company in a completely different direction, focusing on sustainability and long-term growth rather than short-term profits.

---

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.