accept

Universal Words verb offer / invitation 1 to take willingly sth that is offered; to say 'yes' to an offer, invitation, etc: [V] He asked me to marry him and I accepted. * [VN] Please accept our sincere apologies. * Please accept this small token of my appreciation. * He is charged with accepting bribes from a firm of suppliers. * It was pouring with rain so I accepted his offer of a lift. * She's decided not to accept the job. * She said she'd accept $15 for it. receive as suitable 2 [VN] to receive sth as suitable or good enough: My article has been accepted for publication. * This machine only accepts coins. * Will you accept a cheque? agree 3 [VN] to agree to or approve of sth: They accepted the court's decision. * He accepted all the changes we proposed. * She won't accept advice from anyone. * Everything about the child's adoption was against accepted practice. responsibility 4 [VN] to admit that you are responsible or to blame for sth: He accepts full responsibility for what happened. * You have to accept the consequences of your actions. believe 5 ~ sth (as sth) to believe that sth is true: [VN] I don't accept his version of events. * Can we accept his account as the true version? * [Vthat] I am not prepared to accept that this decision is final. * I accept that this move will not be a popular one. * [VNthat] It is generally accepted that people are motivated by success. * [VNtoinf] The workforce is generally accepted to have the best conditions in Europe. HELPNOTE This pattern is only used in the passive. difficult situation 6 ~ sth (as sth) to continue in a difficult situation without complaining, because you realize that you cannot change it: [VN] You just have to accept the fact that we're never going to be rich. * Nothing will change as long as the workers continue to accept these appalling conditions. * They accept the risks as part of the job. * [Vthat] He just refused to accept that his father was no longer there. welcome 7 [VN] ~ sb (into sth)