# accept

Pronunciation: say "uhk-SEPT" /əkˈsɛpt/

## Verb

1. To take or receive something that is offered, especially willingly or gladly.
   - Simple: To take something that someone offers you, often gladly.
   - _When the neighbors brought over a homemade pie, we were happy to accept it and invited them in for coffee._
   - _She accepted the award with a gracious smile._
2. To regard something as proper, usual, or true, or to believe in it.
   - Simple: To believe that something is true, right, or normal.
   - _Scientists accept the theory because the evidence strongly supports it._
   - _He could not accept that his team had really lost._
3. To agree or assent to something, such as a proposal or a condition.
   - Simple: To agree to something, such as a plan or a request.
   - _Both sides accept the conditions laid out in the agreement._
   - _She accepted his proposal of marriage that evening._
4. To admit someone to a place or a group.
   - Simple: To let someone come into a place, or join a group or school.
   - _The club will accept anyone who shares its goals._
   - _She was thrilled when the college accepted her application._
5. To put up with something difficult or unpleasant patiently, without trying to change or resist it.
   - Simple: To put up with something unpleasant calmly, without trying to change or resist it.
   - _In time, they came to accept the loss with quiet dignity._
   - _She accepted the jury's verdict without a word of protest._
6. To judge something good enough and take it instead of rejecting it, such as an excuse, an explanation, or a piece of work.
   - Simple: To take something as good enough.
   - _The editor will accept the draft if it meets the journal's standards._
   - _They accepted the repair as satisfactory and signed the form._
7. To formally receive or approve something submitted in an official procedure, such as a report, a petition, or a resignation.
   - Simple: To take something in a formal, official way.
   - _The board will formally accept the committee's final report at its next public meeting._
   - _The registrar accepted the signed forms this morning._
8. Of a business, to take on a particular kind of work for customers, as a service it offers. *(Philippines)*
   - Simple: For a shop or business, to do a certain kind of job for customers.
   - _"We accept phone and laptop repairs," read the sign above the little shop._
   - _The print shop near the campus accepts bookbinding and lamination for students._
9. Of a machine or device, to be built to take in or handle a certain type of item, for example coins, payment cards, or a paper size.
   - Simple: For a machine, to be able to take and use a certain kind of thing, like coins or cards.
   - _Most vending machines on campus now accept contactless cards as well as cash._
   - _The office printer accepts paper up to legal size in its main tray._
10. To acknowledge that you are to blame for something, especially an error or a poor result, and to face whatever follows from it.
   - Simple: To say that something bad was your fault and be ready to deal with what happens because of it.
   - _The airline's chief executive accepted full responsibility for the canceled flights and promised refunds._
   - _Leaders who accept blame for their failures tend to keep the trust of their staff._
11. To agree to pay a bill of exchange or draft, usually by signing it when presented.
   - Simple: To agree to pay a written order for money, such as a bill of exchange, usually by signing it.
   - _The importer had to accept the bill of exchange, promising to pay in 90 days, before the bank would release the shipping documents._
   - _By signing across the face, the drawees accept the draft._

## Adjective

12. Regarded as approved, agreeable, or well received. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Taken as approved, agreed to, or well received.

## Other meanings

- (noun) Something that is accepted, especially an item or case that a computer process lets through rather than rejects.

## Origin

First attested around 1380, this came through Middle English accepten from Old French accepter, or directly from Latin acceptāre ('receive'), a frequentative of accipiō, formed from ad- plus capiō ('to take'). It displaced the native Old English onfōn.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/accept (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).