take on

phrasal-verb
UK: /ˌteɪk ˈɒn/
US: /ˌteɪk ˈɑːn/

  1. To accept a task or responsibility.

    1. I can take on that small job. [ ] [ ]
    2. She's willing to take on extra work to prove herself to her manager. [ ] [ ]

  2. To employ or hire someone.

    1. We'll take on new staff this year. [ ] [ ]
    2. The company plans to take on more apprentices to boost their workforce. [ ] [ ]

  3. To compete against someone.

    1. Our team will take on theirs. [ ] [ ]
    2. The underdog is ready to take on the reigning champion in the final match. [ ] [ ]

  4. To assume a particular characteristic or quality.

    1. He began to take on weight. [ ] [ ]
    2. The chameleon can take on the color of its surroundings for camouflage purposes. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

accept employ assume confront challenge hire undertake
take on transitive-verb

  1. To undertake or begin to deal with (something, especially a task or responsibility).

    1. I will take on this project. [ ] [ ]
    2. The organization is eager to take on the challenge of improving literacy rates. [ ] [ ]

  2. To engage in a contest or fight with.

    1. Don't take on that bully. [ ] [ ]
    2. The small boat decided to take on the huge whale, which was a risky endeavor. [ ] [ ]

  3. To allow passengers to enter a vehicle, ship or aircraft.

    1. We need to take on fuel. [ ] [ ]
    2. The bus will take on passengers at the next station before continuing its journey. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "take on" in English means: To accept a task or responsibility., To employ or hire someone., To compete against someone., To assume a particular characteristic or quality..

The phonetic transcription of "take on" is /ˌteɪk ˈɒn/ in British English and /ˌteɪk ˈɑːn/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "take on": accept, employ, assume, confront, challenge, hire, undertake.

Example usage of "take on": "I can take on that small job.". More examples on the page.