accept

uhk-SEPT/əkˈsɛpt/

Formsaccepts, accepting, accepted

Often confused with except

13 meanings of accept

Practice

1
take what's offeredverbtransitive
To take something that someone offers you, often gladly.
Like opening your hands to take a present someone holds out to you.
She was happy to accept the gift from her grandmother.
He accepted the job offer the very next morning.
UsageDo not mix it up with except. Say accept a gift, with nothing in between.
Similarwelcome, take
Oppositerefuse
Note
2
verbtransitive
To believe that something is true, right, or normal.
Many people accept that exercise is good for the heart.
She finally accepted the truth about what had happened.
UsageOften accept that: she accepted that they had lost.
Similarbelieve, recognize, credit, embrace
Oppositereject, deny, dispute, doubt
3
verbtransitive
To agree to something, such as a plan or a request.
The committee accepted the new plan after a short debate.
We accept your terms and will start tomorrow.
UsageSay accept the plan, but agree to help (not ~~incorrect: accept to help~~).
Similarapprove, endorse, adopt
Oppositereject, decline
4
admit as memberverbtransitive
To let someone come into a place, or join a group or school.
The university accepted her into the science program.
They accept new members every spring.
UsageOften be accepted into a school or group.
Similaradmit
Oppositereject, exclude
5
put up withverbtransitive
To put up with something unpleasant calmly, without trying to change or resist it.
She had to accept the bad news as calmly as she could.
He accepted the criticism without arguing back.
UsageOften learn to accept something bad.
6
verbtransitive
To take something as good enough.
The teacher accepted his late homework this time.
Will you accept this old coin as payment?
UsageOften with as: accept it as payment.
Similarapprove
Oppositereject
7
verbtransitive
To take something in a formal, official way.
The judge accepted the letters as evidence in the trial.
The office will accept your application until Friday.
Similarreceive
Oppositereject
8
take (businesses)verbPhilippinestransitive
For a shop or business, to do a certain kind of job for customers.
The sign on the small shop says, "We accept shoe repairs."
The tailor near our school accepts small sewing jobs.
Similartake
Oppositedecline
Note
9
take (machines)verbtransitive
For a machine, to be able to take and use a certain kind of thing, like coins or cards.
This parking meter does not accept coins, only cards.
The old ticket machine accepts only small bills.
Similartake, handle
10
take blameverbtransitive
To say that something bad was your fault and be ready to deal with what happens because of it.
I made the mistake, so I accept the blame.
The coach accepted responsibility for the loss and said sorry to the fans.
UsageUsually accept the blame or accept responsibility for something.
Similarshoulder, take, acknowledge, admit, assume
Oppositedeny, disclaim

Less common meanings

11
bill of exchangeverbtransitive
To agree to pay a written order for money, such as a bill of exchange, usually by signing it.
The store owner signed the bill to accept it, promising to pay in 30 days.
The bank accepted the written order, so it must pay the money on time.
Similarhonor
Oppositedishonor
Note
12
adjectiveobsolete
Taken as approved, agreed to, or well received.
Pass our accept and peremptory answer.
1599, William Shakespeare, Henry VHere, accept means accepted, an answer that is approved and agreed to.
Note
13
noun
Something that is accepted, especially by a computer program, and not thrown out.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of accept apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came into English around 1380 from Old French and Latin, from a Latin word meaning 'to receive'.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Accept is first attested in English around 1380. en.wiktionary.org
Accept derives from Old French and Latin. en.wiktionary.org
The Latin source word means 'to receive'. en.wiktionary.org