ACCEPTED

Definition of ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED Verb and Adjective

Accepted is the past tense and past participle form of the verb accept. It can also function as an adjective, describing something that has been received, approved, or recognized as legitimate or valid.

ACCEPTED as a verb

The Act of Receiving or Approving: When used as a verb, accepted indicates the action of receiving or agreeing to something. “She has accepted the job offer and will begin next month,” demonstrates how accepted refers to the past act of agreeing to a proposal or invitation. The verb usage emphasizes a completed action where someone has agreed to terms, received an offer, or taken something into their possession.

In the Context of Emotions or Circumstances: Accepted can also refer to emotionally coming to terms with something. “He finally accepted the loss of his childhood home,” implies that someone has reconciled with a situation, despite it being difficult or challenging. This shows how accepted can reflect a mental or emotional decision to embrace reality, even when it’s hard to do so.

ACCEPTED as an adjective

Recognized or Approved: As an adjective, accepted refers to something that has been approved, acknowledged, or agreed upon by a group, institution, or individual. “The accepted method of communication in the office is email,” indicates that a particular practice or method is widely recognized as the standard or appropriate. Accepted as an adjective often implies that something has passed a certain standard or been deemed suitable, legitimate, or valid by relevant authorities or people.

In Social or Cultural Contexts: In a broader social sense, accepted can describe attitudes or behaviors that are considered normal or appropriate within a community or culture. “His accepted behavior at the dinner table follows all the traditional customs,” suggests that an action or behavior has been acknowledged and deemed appropriate by social norms. This highlights how accepted can reflect cultural or social approval.

In Professional or Academic Contexts: Accepted is frequently used in professional or academic settings to indicate that a proposal, idea, or paper has been formally approved. “The paper was accepted for publication in the journal,” implies that a submission has been reviewed and approved by the relevant authority. This usage underscores the idea of formal acknowledgment or endorsement.

Accepted carries the dual meaning of a completed action (verb) and a state of recognition or approval (adjective). Whether referring to an individual accepting an offer, coming to terms with a situation, or something being officially acknowledged as valid, accepted underscores the idea of agreement, approval, or understanding. It can be applied across various domains, including personal decisions, social norms, and formal approvals, indicating the completion of a process of acknowledgment or agreement.

Examples of ACCEPTED in a sentence

ACCEPTED as a verb in a sentence

• She accepted the job offer after carefully reviewing the terms and conditions.
• They accepted his apology, understanding that everyone makes mistakes.
• He accepted the challenge and committed to finishing the project on time.
• The committee accepted the proposal and began planning the next steps.
• She accepted the invitation to join the board of directors at the nonprofit organization.
• The teacher accepted the late homework but deducted points for the delay.
• He accepted the reality that not all his ideas would be well received by the team.
• The university accepted his application, and he was thrilled to begin his studies there.

ACCEPTED as an adjective in a sentence

• She is an accepted expert in her field, frequently invited to speak at conferences.
• His ideas became the accepted approach for solving the problem in the industry.
• The accepted standards of the profession require ongoing education and certification.
• The proposal was approved and now stands as the accepted plan for the project.
• He followed the accepted protocol for addressing complaints in the workplace.
• Her accepted method of teaching focuses on hands-on learning and student engagement.
• The accepted definition of the term is widely recognized by scholars.
• The accepted procedure for handling the case involves multiple levels of review.

Origin of ACCEPTED

The term accepted has an etymology that builds on the concept of receiving or acknowledging something with approval or agreement, emphasizing the notion of approval or recognition.

Semantic Context: Accepted is the past participle form of the verb accept, and it can function as both an adjective and a verb. As a verb, it refers to having received or agreed to something, such as an offer, invitation, or proposal. As an adjective, it describes something that is generally recognized or approved by a group or authority, often because it meets a certain standard or is deemed appropriate.

• Etymological Roots: The word accepted comes from the Latin “acceptare,” which is derived from “accipere,” meaning “to take,” “to receive,” or “to receive willingly.” “Accipere” is a combination of “ad-” (meaning “to” or “toward”) and “capere” (meaning “to seize” or “to take”). The past participle form “accepted” conveys the sense of having received or agreed to something in the past. In its broader sense, it signifies something that has been embraced or acknowledged, often with a sense of approval.
• Historical Development: The term accepted first appeared in English in the 14th century, when it was used primarily to mean “received” or “taken in.” Over time, its meaning expanded, especially by the 16th century, to encompass ideas of recognition, approval, or agreement. The word began to be used not only for physical items that were received but also for abstract concepts, such as opinions, ideas, or invitations, that were agreed to or endorsed by individuals or groups.
• Cultural and Linguistic Evolution: As accepted evolved, it came to describe not just the physical act of receiving something but also the formal or informal recognition of something as valid, appropriate, or fitting. In legal and social contexts, accepted referred to actions or documents that had been officially acknowledged or agreed to, such as “accepted terms” or “accepted contracts.” By the 17th and 18th centuries, the term expanded to describe ideas, customs, or behaviors that were widely endorsed or followed, such as “accepted norms” or “accepted practices.” In this sense, accepted began to signify something that was considered standard or legitimate by a majority.
• Current Usage: Today, accepted is used in a variety of contexts. As a verb, it typically refers to something that has been received or agreed to, such as “He accepted the job offer,” or “She accepted the invitation.” As an adjective, it describes something that has been acknowledged, agreed upon, or embraced by a group or authority, such as “an accepted theory,” “accepted practices,” or “an accepted form of behavior.” The term is often used to denote consensus or recognition in both social and professional contexts, such as in the phrase “widely accepted,” meaning that something is generally regarded as correct, appropriate, or valid by a large group of people.

The term accepted has evolved from its Latin roots of receiving or taking something to its broader use in describing things that are officially recognized, endorsed, or embraced. Its historical development reflects its growing role in various contexts, from physical reception to social and cultural acknowledgment, showing its importance in both individual and collective actions.