take down

Name: take down, English Word Data
Creator: Wiktionary
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

verb

By PlainSpell Editorial Team · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) · analyzed May 6, 2026

The verdict

“take down” is outside the top-ranked English vocabulary, used as a verb - the kind of word writers most often double-check.

Unranked
below top-frequency English: 9
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To remove something from a wall or similar vertical surface to which it is fixed.

Key facts for take down
Property	Value
Headword	take down
Language	English
Part of speech	Verb
Letters	9
Misspellings tracked	0
Confusable pairs	0
Source	Wiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “take down” sits in English frequency

take down falls outside the top-100,000 ranked English words, the long-tail zone of technical, archaic, or low-frequency vocabulary, exactly where readers second-guess spellings most.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for take down is 9 letters long, classified as a verb. It sits outside the most-frequent rank tiers, which is often why uncommon words generate more spelling variants per reader. Wiktionary records 12 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

No generated misspelling entries exist for take down in our index, typically a sign the spelling maps closely to how the word sounds. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

This entry carries no recorded etymology, so its spelling is easiest explained by how it's pronounced rather than where it came from. The correct English form is take down, spelled T-A-K-E- -D-O-W-N.

Definition

1
To remove something from a wall or similar vertical surface to which it is fixed.
2
To remove something from a hanging position.
3
To remove something from a website.
4
To write down as a note, especially to record something spoken.
5
To remove a temporary structure such as scaffolding.
6
To lower an item of clothing without removing it.
7
To arrest someone or to place them in detention.
8
To swallow.
9
To defeat; to destroy or kill (a person).
10
To force one’s opponent off their feet in order to transition from striking to grappling in jujitsu, mixed martial arts, etc.
11
To collapse or become incapacitated from illness or fatigue.
12
To reduce.

This word in other languages

descolgar(Español)décrocher(Français)herunternehmen(Deutsch)derrubar(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "take down"?

"take down" is spelled T-A-K-E- -D-O-W-N.

What does "take down" mean?

As a verb, "take down" means: To remove something from a wall or similar vertical surface to which it is fixed.

What language does "take down" come from?

"take down" is a English word. PlainSpell covers definitions, pronunciations, and spelling data across English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German.

Is PlainSpell free to use?

Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “take down”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

The one correct English spelling is T-A-K-E- -D-O-W-N - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.