Definition of “accept” - English Dictionary

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“accept” in English

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acceptverb

uk ​ /əkˈsept/ us ​ /əkˈsept/

accept verb (TAKE)

B1 [ T ] to agree to take something:

Do you accept credit cards?
She was in Mumbai to accept an award for her latest novel.
I offered her an apology, but she wouldn't accept it.
I accept full responsibility for the failure of the plan.
The new coffee machines will accept coins of any denomination.

B1 [ I or T ] to say yes to an offer or invitation:

We've offered her the job, but I don't know whether she'll accept it.
I've just accepted an invitation to the opening-night party.
I've been invited to their wedding but I haven't decided whether to accept.

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accept verb (APPROVE)

B2 [ T ] to consider something or someone as satisfactory:

The manuscript was accepted for publication last week.
She was accepted as a full member of the society.
His fellow workers refused to accept him (= to include him as one of their group).

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accept verb (BELIEVE)

B2 [ T ] to believe that something is true:

The police refused to accept her version of the story.
He still hasn't accepted the situation (= realized that he cannot change it).
[ + that ] I can't accept that there's nothing we can do.

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(Definition of “accept” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“accept” in American English

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acceptverb [ T ]

us ​ /ɪkˈsept, æk-/

› to agree to take something, or to consider something as satisfactory, reasonable, or true:

She accepted the job offer.
He was accused of accepting bribes.
Do you accept credit cards?
He refuses to accept the fact that he could be wrong.

› If you accept an offer or an invitation, you say yes to it:

We accepted an invitation to visit China.

› To accept is also to allow someone to become a member of an organization or group:

He was accepted by three colleges.

› To accept is also to consider someone as now belonging to your group as an equal:

She never felt accepted by the other girls in her sorority.

(Definition of “accept” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“accept” in Business English

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acceptverb

uk ​ /əkˈsept/ us ​

› [ T ] to agree to take something:

accept a cheque/credit card/cash Do you accept credit cards?
accept a booking/order Your order has been accepted and will be processed within 48 hours.
The buyer may refuse to accept the goods if they do not comply with the contract.
Please accept my apology for our mistake.
I accept full responsibility for the failure of the project.

› [ I or T ] to say yes to an offer or invitation:

accept an offer/job/position We've offered her the job, but I don't know whether she'll accept.
Almost 80% of policyholders voted to accept the deal.
I've accepted an invitation to speak at the conference.

› [ T ] to consider something or someone as satisfactory:

accept sb/sth as sth We are pleased to announce that we have been accepted as a full member of the Association of Consultant Engineers.
accept sth for sth The design has been accepted for production.

› [ T ] INSURANCE to agree to provide insurance for something or someone:

The decision by insurance underwriters to accept the risk demonstrates the strength of his case.

› [ T ] FINANCE to agree to pay a bill of exchange

(Definition of “accept” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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Accept or except? Affect or effect? Spelling words that sound similar.

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