WordGarden.ioretake
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈriˈteɪk/
Meanings
Verb
to take or do something again
to take an exam again after failing or missing it
to regain control of a place after losing it, especially by force
More meaningsFewer meanings
to shoot or record something again to improve the result
Noun
a repeated exam attempt
a repeated filming or recording of a shot or scene
Beyond the definition
Imagine you've just finished a difficult exam, but you did not get the grade you needed. You might ask for a "retake" - a chance to take the test again. That is the main idea behind this word. "Retake" means to do something again, usually because the first try was not good enough or did not work. It is common with tests, photos, and films. A student may retake an exam, a photographer may retake a photo, and a director may ask for a retake of a scene. It can also mean getting something back, such as retaking the lead in a game or retaking control of a difficult situation.
The word "retake" means doing something again or taking something back. The first meaning is the one most learners meet first: you try again because the first result was not good enough, or because you need another chance. The second meaning appears when someone gains control, position, or possession again.
In everyday use, "retake" is very common in school and testing. A student may retake an exam, a course, or a driving test after failing or missing the first one. In photography and film, it means making the shot or scene again. If the picture is blurry or an actor makes a mistake, the photographer or director may ask for a retake. In this sense, the word can be both a verb and a noun: you can retake the scene, or you can do another retake.
There is also the meaning of taking something back. This is common in sports, politics, news, and history. A team can retake the lead after falling behind. An army can retake a city. A person can retake control of their life or emotions after a hard time. In all of these examples, the idea is that something was lost for a time and then gained again.
So, depending on the context, "retake" can describe a new attempt or a return to control or possession. The shared idea is simple: something happens again, or something is gained back.
Examples
- 1
Exam retry
If you fail the exam, you can retake it next month.
- 2
Driving test
He had to retake his driving test after missing a stop sign.
- 3
Course repeat
She decided to retake the course in the fall.
- Patternretake a course
take the whole class again
- 4
Photography
That photo came out blurry, so I asked her to retake it.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Film scene
The director wanted to retake the final scene with better lighting.
- 6
Film noun
We only had time for one retake before the studio closed.
See also
Forms and spellings
9 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- retakenounverb
Forms
- re-tookpast tenseverbnoun
- re-taking-ing formverbnoun
- re-takenpast participleverbnoun
- re-takesverbnoun
- retakenpast participleverbnoun
- retaking-ing formverbnoun
- retookpast tenseverbnoun
- retakespluralnounverb