The easiest way to understand them is to remember that took is the simple past form, while taken is the past participle. Once you understand this small difference, choosing the correct word becomes much easier. / tʊk / us / tʊk / past simple of take (Definition of took from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press) / tʊk / uk / tʊk / past simple of take (Definition of took from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press) Define took. took synonyms, took pronunciation, took translation, English dictionary definition of took. v. Past tense of take. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. The meaning of TOOK is past tense of take. When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. He had him gripped firmly by the arm, since he felt it was not safe to let him loose, and he had no immediate idea what to do with him. Learn the difference between Taken or Took in English. Understand their grammar rules, tense usage, and common examples in simple language. A clear guide for English learners to master taken vs took. TOOK definition: simple past tense of take. See examples of took used in a sentence. Synonyms for TOOK: held, grasped, gripped, clasped, laid hold of, clenched, caught, clutched; Antonyms of TOOK: dropped, released, discharged, freed, gave, liberated, passed, handed People often mix up 'took' and 'taken' because both are forms of the verb 'take.' 'Took' is the simple past tense, while 'taken' is the past participle used with auxiliary verbs.