accept*/*/*/

[əkˈsept]

verb

1) [T] to take something that someone gives you

It gives me great pleasure to accept this award.[/ex]

Two police officers were accused of accepting bribes.[/ex]

2) [I/T] to say yes to an invitation, offer, or suggestion

Ant:

reject

Our clients will never accept this proposal.[/ex]

They offered her a job, and she accepted without hesitation.[/ex]

3) [T] to recognize that something is true, fair, or right

This argument is unlikely to be accepted by the court.[/ex]

We cannot accept responsibility for any damage.[/ex]

Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to pollution.[/ex]

4) [T] to recognize that a bad situation exists and cannot be changed

I know it's not fair, but you'll just have to accept it.[/ex]

They found it hard to accept defeat.[/ex]

For a long time, he simply could not accept that she was dead.[/ex]

5) [T] to allow someone to become part of an organization or group

Under the new law, gay people will be accepted in the armed forces.[/ex]

The children soon accepted her into the family.[/ex]

•

■ Use accept to mean that you take something that someone gives you, or you recognize that something is true, fair, or right: We accepted her gifts. ♦ They accepted the court's decision. ■ Use agree to mean that you are willing to do something: She agreed to work at the weekend. ■ You accept something, but you agree to do something.