take-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈtā-ˌkin 

: an act of taking in especially by deceiving

take in

2 of 2

verb

took in; taken in; taking in; takes in

transitive verb

1

a

: to receive as a guest or lodger

b

: to give shelter to

c

: to take to a police station as a prisoner

2

: to draw into a smaller compass

take in the slack of a line

:

a

: to make (a garment) smaller by enlarging seams or tucks

b

: furl

3

: to receive as payment or proceeds

4

: to receive (work) into one's house to be done for pay

take in washing

5

: to encompass within its limits

6

a

: to include in an itinerary

b

: attend

take in a movie

7

: to receive into the mind : perceive

took in the view

8

: deceive, dupe

Synonyms of take-in

Verb

• trick
• deceive
• fool
• have on

Examples of take-in in a Sentence

Verb

a fellow passenger on the cruise completely took me in when he claimed to be the owner of a major software company

this report takes in all the latest information on the subject

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the Seattle area, the Northwest Community Bail Fund’s annual take-in blew up from a mere $158,000 to about $5.7 million. —Rob Kuznia, CNN, 21 Mar. 2023

Verb

The thumping Republicans took in this week's elections reflected longer-running anger among constituencies that already leaned Democratic, but the GOP needs to worry that the government shutdown will cause that frustration to spread. —Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

While you’re holed up in your new lodgings, enjoy a blissful soak under the rainfall showerhead or take in the view from the glass wall in the bedroom that offers an unobscured view during leaf-peeping season and beyond. —Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1772, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1518, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for take-in

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• underpin
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin

Kids Definition

take in

verb

1

a

: to reduce the length of

take in a slack line

b

: to make smaller by enlarging seams or tucks

take in a coat

2

a

: to receive as a guest or resident

b

: to give shelter to

3

: to receive and do at home for pay

take in washing

4

: to include within fixed limits

the camp took in several acres

5

: attend sense 4

take in a movie

6

: to observe and think about so as to understand

paused to take the situation in

7

: to deceive so as to take advantage of

taken in by a hard luck story