accept

acceptverb

To accept is to agree to take something offered, to believe something is true or deal with it, or to allow someone to join something.

1. take what's offeredagree to take something that is offered

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • She accepted the job offer. V + obj
   • He accepted the gift with a smile. V + obj
   • Please accept my apologies. V + obj
   • I can't accept this much money. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun accept an offer, accept a gift, accept an invitation, accept an apology

   Synonyms take

   Antonyms refuse

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap Accept is followed by a noun, never by a to-infinitive; to say you will do something, use agree to do it, not accept to do it.

2. believe or deal withcome to believe that something is true, or agree to deal with something difficult

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + that-clause [V + that]

   • It's hard to accept that he's gone. V + that
   • They accepted the fact that the plan had failed. V + obj
   • You have to accept the situation as it is. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun accept the fact, accept responsibility, accept the risk

3. allow to joinagree to let someone join a group or school, or agree to give someone a job

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • She was accepted into the university. V + obj (passive)
   • The club doesn't accept new members this year. V + obj
   • He was accepted for the position. V + obj (passive)

   Collocations

   verb + noun accept an applicant, accept a member

   phrase be accepted into, be accepted for

   Antonyms reject