1. Accept as a challenge
   "I'll take on this difficult task";
   - undertake, tackle
    
2. Start in a job or pay to do a particular piece of work
   "The company is taking on new staff";
   - hire, engage, employ
    
3. Begin to display or exhibit a particular quality or characteristic
   "His voice took on a sad tone";
   - assume, acquire, adopt, take
    
4. Take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
   "She took on the role of department manager";
   - assume, adopt, take over
    
5. Admit into a group or community
   "take on students for graduate study";
   - accept, admit, take
    
6. Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
   "Princeton takes on Yale this weekend";
   - meet, encounter, play

Derived forms: taken on, taking on, took on, takes on

Type of: accept, act, change, compete, confront, contend, face, face up, have, move, take, take office, vie