Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

Taken Meaning, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：removed or occupied (taken)

taken 🔊

/ˈteɪkən/

v., adj.

This is the past participle of 'take'. It means something has been removed, or a space/seat has been occupied by someone.

removed or occupied 🔊

➕

/rɪˈmuːvd ɔːr ˈɒkjʊpaɪd/

v., adj.

This is the past participle of 'take', indicating that something has been removed from its place or a space/seat is no longer available because someone is using it.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Past participle of 'take', from Old English 'tacan'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a reserved sign on a table: 'Taken' means it's no longer available.

📖 Example

I'm sorry, the last piece of cake has already been taken. 🔊 I'm sorry, the last piece of cake has already been taken.

🔗 Collocations

be taken – to have been removed or occupied

taken seat – a seat that is already occupied

taken over – to have assumed control of something

🔄 Synonyms

removed (adj.) – no longer in its original place

occupied (adj.) – being used by someone

seized (adj.) – taken hold of forcibly

🚫 Antonyms

available (adj.) – free to be taken or used

vacant (adj.) – not occupied or used

free (adj.) – not taken or occupied

🌱 Derivatives

taking (adj.) – attractive or captivating

taker (n.) – someone who takes something

untaken (adj.) – not taken or occupied

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old English 'tacan' (to grasp). The past participle 'taken' has been used since the 13th century to describe something seized or occupied. In modern slang, 'taken' also refers to romantic commitment.

Meaning 2：in a relationship (taken)

taken 🔊

/ˈteɪkən/

v., adj.

Informally, especially when talking about relationships, it means someone is in a romantic relationship and not available to date.

in a relationship 🔊

➕

/ɪn ə rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp/

v., adj.

Informally, it means that a person is already in a romantic relationship and is not available for dating.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

When my friend asked if I was single, I smiled and said, 'No, I'm happily taken.' 🔊 When my friend asked if I was single, I smiled and said, 'No, I'm happily taken.'

🔗 Collocations

happily taken – in a satisfying romantic relationship

already taken – not available for dating

taken man/woman – a person who is in a relationship

🔄 Synonyms

attached (adj.) – in a romantic relationship

committed (adj.) – dedicated to a partner in a relationship

spoken for (adj.) – already claimed in a relationship

🚫 Antonyms

single (adj.) – not in a romantic relationship

available (adj.) – free to date

unattached (adj.) – not emotionally committed

🌱 Derivatives

takenness (n.) – the state of being in a relationship