English Reference
noun · verb

vote

n. · v.
US /ˈvoʊt/ UK /vˈəʊt/ vote UK spelling votes

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.the formal choice you make in an election or meeting, often by marking a piece of paper.

    n.a formal expression of opinion or will in response to a proposed decision, typically recorded by ballot or show of hands.

    Simple

    The committee will take a vote on the new budget tomorrow morning.

    In context

    The final vote was split along party lines, resulting in a narrow victory for the proposed environmental legislation.

    Usage

    Often used with the verbs 'cast', 'take', or 'win'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    n.the legal right to participate in an election.

    n.the collective right or franchise to participate in a democratic election.

    Simple

    In many countries, people fought for decades to win the vote.

    In context

    Universal suffrage ensures that every adult citizen possesses the vote, regardless of their socio-economic status or property ownership.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    v.to make your choice official in an election or meeting.

    v.to express a formal preference in an election or on a specific motion.

    Simple

    Millions of people went to the polls to vote for a new president.

    In context

    Citizens are encouraged to vote in every local election to ensure their specific community needs are addressed by the council.

    Pitfall
    I voted someone for president. I voted for someone for president.

    When choosing a person, you must use the preposition 'for'.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to agree as a group that something is true or should happen.

    v.to decide or enact something by a majority or general consensus.

    Simple

    The students voted the party a huge success after everyone had a great time.

    In context

    The board voted to increase the research budget by ten percent to accelerate the development of the new prototype.

Usage vote counting · votes cast · vote share


From German Wote, ultimately from Votic vadʹdʹa, vadʹdʹalain (“Votian”). Compare Estonian vadjalane.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin vot vadʹdʹa
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Very common
Updated