take on

verb

took on; taken on; taking on; takes on
Synonyms of take onnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to begin to perform or deal with : undertake
took on new responsibilities
b
: to contend with as an opponent
took on the neighborhood bully
2
3
a
: to assume or acquire as or as if one's own
… the city's plaza takes on a carnival air.—W. T. LeViness
b
: to have as a mathematical domain or range
what values does the function take on

intransitive verb

: to show one's feelings especially of grief or anger in a demonstrative way
… she cried, and took on like a distracted body …—Daniel Defoe

Examples of take on in a Sentence

will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate decided to take her on as store manager
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adebayo could pass Haslem to become the Heat’s all-time leading rebounder on Wednesday when the Heat takes on the Hawks in Atlanta. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 Espresso brown is a deeper, sexier take on nudes for winter, while plum makes for an elegant pedicure that feels unexpected. — Loren Savini, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026 There is a hospitality element too, with Burberry’s Tea & Coffee offering light meals with a menu that will be a contemporary take on traditional British favorites. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 These metaphors take on fresh force at a museum whose collection contains so many mosaics and so many textiles, and which is increasingly dedicated to uncovering the personal stories of their makers. — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take on

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of take on was in 1567

Cite this Entry

“Take on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20on. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

take on

verb
1
: to struggle with as an opponent
2
: employ entry 1 sense 2
took on more workers
3
: to acquire (as an appearance or quality) as one's own
take on weight
4
: to make an unusual show of one's feelings especially of grief or anger
don't take on so
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