Word
taxes
Phoneticstax·es, stress on the first syllable
/ˈtæksəz/
Definitions
01government money
A2 · Elementary Plural noun
n. money that you must pay to the government so they can pay for things like schools and roads.
n. compulsory financial charges or other levies imposed upon a taxpayer by a governmental organisation.
“The government promised not to raise income taxes for the next four years.”
“Economists argue that progressive taxes are essential for reducing wealth inequality while maintaining sufficient funding for public infrastructure.”
Usage
Usually used in the plural when discussing the general system of taxation.
02to collect money
B1 · Intermediate
v. when a government requires people to pay a percentage of their income or the cost of goods.
v. to impose a tax on an individual, business, or activity; used in the third-person singular present tense.
“The city taxes local businesses to pay for the new park.”
“The state taxes luxury goods at a significantly higher rate than essential items like groceries and medicine.”
Usage
Takes a direct object representing the person or entity being charged.
Antonyms
03to strain or tire
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a big demand on someone's physical or mental strength.
v. to make heavy demands on a person's resources, patience, or physical strength; used in the third-person singular present tense.
“Working two jobs really taxes his energy and health.”
“The complexity of the legal case taxes even the most experienced judges, requiring months of careful deliberation.”
04biological movements
C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Science Technical
n. the plural of 'taxis', which means the movement of a living thing toward or away from light or heat.
n. the plural of taxis; refers to the directional movement of an organism in response to an external stimulus.
“The scientist studied how different taxes affect the way bacteria move.”
“Phototactic taxes in certain marine larvae ensure that the organisms remain in the nutrient-rich upper layers of the water column.”
Usage
The singular form is 'taxis', not 'tax'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Some of the super wealthy are plowing money into a tax loophole to slash taxes to 0 There's a tax loophole that lets millionaires and billionaires drawdown their taxes… to nothing.” “But she said the biggest burden would fall on those "with the broadest shoulders" through higher taxes on property and savings, including a new tax on homes worth more than £2m.” “To fill the gap, reports have suggested the government is considering shaking up stamp duty and other property taxes - having repeatedly ruled out raising income tax, employee national insurance or VAT.” “Taxes will go up to new records in 2028.” Etymology
Idioms
01. death and taxes
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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