task - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
task Word Meanings
- a piece of work to be done
- a duty or responsibility
- an assignment given to someone
task Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
task Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/tɑːsk/
US
/tæsk/
task Word Etymology
Root: task (from Middle English 'taske', related to the Old Norman 'tasque'); Historical origin: Latin → Old French → English; Memory image: Imagine a student receiving a list of tasks from a teacher, with each task representing a step toward success.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I pick up the task from the desk and set it in front of me. I move a pencil across the page, shift through ideas, and push the next steps forward. I feel the effort rise as I adjust my plan and hold my focus against distractions. What starts as one job becomes a small routine I can keep applying to real work.
Real Context
Task is a flexible English word with several related meanings. It can refer to a piece of work that needs to be done, a duty or responsibility someone has, or an assignment given to a person in school, at work, or in a project. In management and productivity contexts, a task is a discrete unit of work, often with a deadline and subtasks. The verb form to task someone means to assign them a specific duty, sometimes implying responsibility or pressure to complete it. Common phrases include task list, task management, task force, and time-based tasks in planning and tracking progress.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: use task for concrete work, duty, or assignment. Distinguish task from job (long-term role) and from duty (obligation). Use to task someone with a responsibility to emphasize assignment, not just permission. In compound terms, a task often has a deadline. Avoid confusing task with chores or project; context helps clarify meaning.
- Use articles: a task, the task; plural: tasks.
Common Misconceptions
- Task equals job or career; not always.
- Confusing task with chores (household tasks are different from work tasks).
- Thinking 'to task' is a negative urge or punishment; it's a neutral verb meaning assign.
- Using 'task' only for school assignments; it's common in work and projects too.
- Misplacing 'the task' vs 'a task' when the context is clear.
Thinking Differences
English speakers often think of a task as a concrete item on a to-do list with a clear endpoint, and may picture a task as discrete from broader duties or ongoing work.
Learning Tips
- Practice using task in different contexts: school, work, and personal projects.
- Learn the verb to task and its typical patterns (to task someone with).
- Distinguish task from job and duty with example sentences.
- Create your own task list in daily study or work routine.
- Read and annotate sentences with task to reinforce meaning.
- Watch meetings or project briefs to hear task usage in real time.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is 'task' used correctly?
A.He was tired of the tasks he had to do.
B.She completed the task easily.
C.The task was to laugh at the joke.
D.The task butterfly landed on the flower.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a similar word to 'task'?
A.Play
B.Assignment
C.Dislike
D.Happy
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'task'?
A.Help
B.Break
C.Pleasure
D.Relaxation
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life situation would you use the word 'task'?
A.Walking in the park
B.Cooking a meal
C.Watching a movie
D.Taking a nap
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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