verb
imbibe
im-BYBE
Imbibe (verb) means to drink something, especially alcohol. Example: “They imbibed rather freely at the reception.”
verb
1
formal or humorous To drink something, especially alcohol.
"They imbibed rather freely at the reception."
"He does not imbibe, so pour him a lemonade."
2
To take in and absorb ideas, attitudes or knowledge, usually without deliberate effort.
"She had imbibed her father's suspicion of banks."
"Students imbibe the values of the institution long before they can name them."
How to use imbibe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo drink, or to soak up ideas from the people around you.
When to use it
Formal, and often used lightly or ironically when it means drinking.
Memory tip
Imbibe is what you take in; imbue is what someone else fills you with. The two are easy to swap by mistake.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
imbibe freely
imbibe the spirit of
imbibe ideas
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They _____ rather freely at the reception.
Etymology
From Latin imbibere, formed from in- 'in' and bibere 'to drink'.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for imbibe
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of imbibe?
"imbibe" (verb) means to drink something, especially alcohol.
What is another word for imbibe?
Other words for "imbibe" include drink, consume, sup, quaff, assimilate, suck.
