accept
accept
Pronunciation
accept: /əkˈsɛpt/
Syllable Breakdown:
ac-: /ək/ - The 'a' is a schwa sound (like the 'a' in "about"), and the 'c' is a 'k' sound.
-cept: /ˈsɛpt/ - The 'c' is an 's' sound, the 'e' is a short 'e' sound (as in "bed"), and 'pt' is a 'pt' cluster.
Word Form Variations
Verb (base form): accept
Verb (third person singular present): accepts
Verb (present participle): accepting
Verb (past tense/past participle): accepted
Noun: acceptance (the act of accepting)
Adjective: acceptable (able to be accepted)
Adverb: acceptably (in an acceptable manner)
Adjective (negative): unacceptable
Adverb (negative): unacceptably
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To willingly receive something offered, given, or presented.
Synonyms: receive, take, acquire, obtain
Antonyms: refuse, reject, decline, deny
Definition 2: To agree to undertake or be responsible for a task, role, or proposal.
Synonyms: agree to, consent to, undertake, embrace
Antonyms: decline, reject, refuse, forgo
Definition 3: To recognize or believe something as true, valid, or appropriate.
Synonyms: acknowledge, concede, admit, recognize, believe
Antonyms: deny, dispute, reject, question
Definition 4: To tolerate or endure something, especially something unpleasant, without protest or resistance.
Synonyms: tolerate, bear, endure, put up with, stomach
Antonyms: resist, protest, fight, reject
Noun
Definition: (from "acceptance") The act or process of receiving something offered or the state of being received. Also, the act of assenting or agreeing to something.
Synonyms: receipt, approval, consent, agreement, adoption
Antonyms: refusal, rejection, denial, disapproval, opposition
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a difficult truth to accept, but she knew she had to move forward." (From a review of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, published in 2020)
"The king agreed to accept the terms of the treaty, hoping to bring an end to the long-standing conflict." (From A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, August 1996)
Newspapers:
"The senator announced he would accept the nomination for vice president, despite earlier reservations." (From The New York Times)
"Local businesses have been urged to accept mobile payments to adapt to changing consumer habits." (From Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Google will no longer accept third-party cookies on Chrome by the end of 2024, reshaping online advertising." (From The Verge)
"Developers should accept feedback from users as a valuable tool for improving their applications." (From TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (Dialogue): "I accept this rose." (From The Bachelor, an episode in 2023)
Film (Dialogue): "You must accept your destiny, Luke." (From Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, May 1980)
Music (Lyrics): "I can't accept that we're just friends." (From the song "Just Friends" by Amy Winehouse, October 2006)
Video Games (Dialogue/Prompt): "Do you accept this quest?" (Common prompt in role-playing games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, November 2011)
General Public Discourse:
"It's hard to accept that summer is over, but at least fall brings cooler weather." (Heard in casual conversation)
"We need to accept people for who they are, regardless of their background." (From a public speech)
10 Quotes Using Accept
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." (Reinhold Niebuhr)
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." (Martin Luther King Jr.)
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." (Michael Jordan)
"Happiness can exist only in acceptance." (George Orwell)
"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." (Carl Rogers)
"You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
"Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery." (J.K. Rowling)
"To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself." (Thich Nhat Hanh)
"The moment you accept what troubles you've been given, the door will open." (Rumi)
"If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it." (W. Somerset Maugham)
Etymology
The word "accept" has a long history, tracing its roots all the way back to Latin.
Imagine the word as being built from two old Latin pieces:
"ad-": This was a prefix meaning "to" or "towards."
"capere": This was a verb meaning "to take" or "to seize."
So, when these two bits came together in Latin to form "accipere," it basically meant "to take to oneself" or "to receive."
Over time, this Latin "accipere" evolved into "acceptare," which was a more active or "frequentative" form, meaning "to receive willingly."
Then, "acceptare" made its way into Old French as "accepter." From there, it was borrowed into Middle English around the late 14th century as "accepten."
The first known use of "accept" in English, as recorded around before 1382, carried the meaning of "to take what is offered; to admit and agree to (a proposal, etc.)." It essentially meant to willingly receive something or to agree to something.
So, in simple terms, "accept" comes from a very old idea of "taking something to yourself" with willingness or approval.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Accept
To accept gracefully: To receive something, especially something difficult or unwelcome, with dignity and composure.
To accept defeat: To acknowledge and come to terms with losing.
To accept responsibility: To acknowledge and take accountability for one's actions or duties.
To accept the consequences: To be prepared to face the outcomes of one's decisions.
To accept at face value: To believe something without questioning it or looking for hidden meanings.
To accept an apology: To agree to let go of resentment after someone has expressed regret.
To accept a challenge: To agree to undertake a difficult task or competition.
To come to terms (with something): To accept and feel comfortable with a difficult situation or fact (uses a synonym, "come to terms").
Bite the bullet: To accept a difficult or unpleasant situation and deal with it (idiom with a similar effect).
Swallow one's pride: To accept something humiliating or to do something that makes one feel ashamed (idiom with a similar effect).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of accept from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
