Words / B2

UPT-ayk/ˈʌpteɪk/

Uptake is the rate at which something is taken in or accepted: vaccine uptake; mineral uptake; slow on the uptake (slow to understand). Absorption is the biology twin; take-up is a close policy twin. Quote the uptake %, then the year. Mix-up: uptake vs take-up spelling; uptake vs outburst; do not write uptake for a single person who merely agreed, with no rate.

Meaning

The rate at which something is taken in or accepted (vaccine uptake; mineral uptake).

Examples

• “Quote the uptake %, then the year, not a “people got it” caption.”
• “Root uptake of nitrates featured in the practical, which is still a named ion — quote the unit if given.”

Good to know

vaccine / school-place uptake; mineral / nutrient uptake; slow on the uptake. Close: take-up / absorption. Trap: one person agreeing / outburst. Biology, citizenship, and news. Rate of taking in or accepting — quote % or the unit.

Near in meaning

take-up, absorption, acceptance rate

New