take on
verb
took on; taken on; taking on; takes on
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
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
W. T. LeViness
b
: to have as a mathematical domain or range
what values does the function take on
: 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
Daniel DefoeExamples 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
In addition to two solo studio albums, the former Doll has starred in ABC's remake of Dirty Dancing and took on judging duties for The X Factor UK and The Masked Singer.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
But taking on that burden will never foster a better result [with diabetes management] or for kids.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 11 Nov. 2025
New designs such as moccasins and penny loafers add to dainty slippers, rubber-lug ankle boots and winter takes on boat shoe styles in a lineup that encompasses soft suede, natural leather, silk velvet and pony hair, among others.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Some of those controllers have taken on second jobs during the shutdown, and many have called in sick.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take on
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Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
But taking on that burden will never foster a better result [with diabetes management] or for kids.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 11 Nov. 2025
New designs such as moccasins and penny loafers add to dainty slippers, rubber-lug ankle boots and winter takes on boat shoe styles in a lineup that encompasses soft suede, natural leather, silk velvet and pony hair, among others.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Some of those controllers have taken on second jobs during the shutdown, and many have called in sick.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take on
Cite this Entry
“Take on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20on. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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