took
inflected form of “take” — carry out
An inflected form of take · inflected form.
How often you will meet it
Rank 167 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 142,826 times across 175,160 chapters — 0.068% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 500 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
verb
- carry out take actiontake steps
- require (time or space) also: occupy, use up It took three hours to get to work this morningThis event occupied a very short time
- take somebody somewhere also: lead, direct, conduct, guide We lead him to our chiefcan you take me to the main entrance?
- get into one's hands, take physically also: get hold of Take a cookie!Can you take this bag, please
- take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect also: assume, acquire, adopt, take on His voice took on a sad toneThe story took a new turn
- interpret something in a certain way; convey a particular meaning or impression also: read I read this address as a satireHow should I take this message?
took in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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It took away all her doubts, all her fears.
Christian's Mistake · Dinah Maria Mulock Craik · Chapter 1
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Ray took up the lamp and strode to the door.
The Betrayal · E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim · Chapter 1
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He took up his pick again and notched foot-holes in each side of the yellow ditch.
The Heart of the Hills · John, Jr. Fox · Chapter 1
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I had only met her once before, but she took it into her head to lionize me.
The Picture of Dorian Gray · Oscar Wilde · Chapter 1
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Mrs. Anderson was between them, putting out a quick hand; the boy hardly saw her as he took it.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1