imbibe
11 synonyms and 3 antonyms for imbibe, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To drink something, especially alcohol.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb formal or humorous
To drink something, especially alcohol.
“They imbibed rather freely at the reception.”
How to use imbibe
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
imbibe freely
imbibe the spirit of
imbibe ideas
Formal, and often used lightly or ironically when it means drinking.
Etymology
From Latin imbibere, formed from in- 'in' and bibere 'to drink'.
Full origin of imbibe →Frequently asked questions
Does imbibe always mean drinking alcohol?
No, but it usually implies it. Because the word is grander than 'drink', writers reach for it when the drinking is social or slightly excessive, so 'he imbibed' will normally be read as alcohol unless you say otherwise.
What is the difference between imbibe and absorb?
Absorb is the neutral, general word for taking something in. Imbibe is more formal and suggests drinking something in, so with ideas it implies you took them on gradually and unconsciously rather than by studying.
