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tax

TAKS/tæks/

Pluraltaxes

Verbtaxes, taxing, taxed

7 meanings of tax

Practice

  1. 1
    government chargenouncountable or uncountable
    Money that a government collects from people and businesses to pay for public services.

    Like everyone in a club paying a small fee so the club can cover its bills.

    Our taxes help pay for schools, roads, and parks.

    Many people pay less tax after they stop working.

    UsageSay a tax on something, like a tax on food. You can pay tax or pay taxes.

    Similarlevy, duty, impost

    Oppositesubsidy

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To make people or companies pay money to the government, or to add this charge to something.

    Like a club asking each member to hand over part of their money.

    The state taxes everyone who earns a salary.

    Governments tax citizens to pay for public services.

    UsageYou can tax people or tax things: tax the rich, tax tobacco. People are taxed on what they earn.

  3. 3
    push to limitverbtransitive
    To ask too much of someone or something, making it work very hard.

    Like a phone battery that drains fast when you use it too much.

    The long hike taxed the children's energy.

    Don't tax your eyes by reading in the dark.

    UsageOften said as tax someone's patience. A taxing job is one that is very tiring.

    Similarstrain, test, try, stretch, challenge

    Note
  4. 4
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A charge of money, goods, or work that someone in charge makes you give them.

    Like a club boss making every member give part of what they earn.

    The local lord demanded a tax of grain from every farmer.

    The gang forced every shop on the street to pay a weekly tax.

    UsageSay a tax of grain or work (what is given) and a tax on farmers (who gives it).

    Similarlevy, tribute, toll

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    nounfigurativelycountableusually singular
    A heavy demand that puts a strain on someone or something.

    Like a heavy backpack that makes every step harder.

    Caring for a sick relative can be a real tax on your energy.

    The new job was a tax on her free time.

    UsageUsually said as a tax on something, like a tax on your time or energy.

    Similarstrain, drain, burden, toll

    Note
  2. 6
    accuseverbtransitive
    To say that someone has done something wrong.

    Like pointing your finger at someone and saying they did it.

    The teacher taxed the boy with cheating on the test.

    Before you tax him with stealing, make sure you have proof.

    UsageSay tax someone with something: taxed with cheating.

    Similarcharge, accuse, reproach

    Note
  3. 7
    verb
    To check a list of charges and decide which items are allowed and which are not.

Practice

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

Origins

Meanings 1, 4–5

From Latin "taxō" meaning to value or estimate, coming into English through French. It is a doublet of "task".

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Meanings 2–3, 6

From Latin "taxāre" meaning to appraise or compute, which came into English through Anglo-Norman "taxer", to impose a tax.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts