participate
pah-TIHS-ih-payt
Participate (verb) means to take part in or become involved in something. Example: “All students are encouraged to participate in the debate.”
verb
1
To take part in or become involved in something.
"All students are encouraged to participate in the debate."
"She rarely participates in office gossip."
"Anyone over sixteen can participate in the charity fun run."
How to use participate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take part or join in with an activity.
Common pairings
participate in
actively participate
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- participates
- Past tense
- participated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
All students are encouraged to _____ in the debate.
Etymology
From Latin participare, "to take part in, share in," from particeps, "sharing."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for participate
See all rhymes for participate →Frequently asked questions
What does “participate” mean?
The word “participate” means to take part in or become involved in something. In plain terms, to take part or join in with an activity.
How do you pronounce “participate”?
“Participate” is pronounced pah-TIHS-ih-payt (/pɑɹˈtɪs.ə.peɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “participate” in a sentence?
Here is “participate” used in a sentence: “All students are encouraged to participate in the debate.”
What part of speech is “participate”?
“Participate” is a verb.
Where does the word “participate” come from?
The word “participate” comes from Latin. From Latin participare, "to take part in, share in," from particeps, "sharing.".
Is “participate” a common word?
“Participate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between participate and attend?
To attend simply means to be present, like sitting in the audience at a meeting. To participate means to take an active part, such as speaking, contributing ideas, or joining the activity. You can attend an event without participating, but you cannot participate without being involved in some way.
What is the opposite of participate?
The opposite is to stay out or refuse to take part, captured by words like abstain, opt out, or sit out. Someone who abstains from a vote chooses not to cast one. Where participating means getting involved, these terms describe deliberately holding back or remaining on the sidelines.
What is an example of participating?
Joining a class discussion, playing on a team, volunteering at a community event, or voting in an election are all forms of participating. In each case you are not just present but actively contributing. The key idea is involvement, whether through speaking, acting, or otherwise taking a real part.
Is participate a formal word?
Participate is fairly neutral but leans slightly formal, common in writing, education, and workplace settings. In casual conversation people often prefer take part, join in, or get involved, which mean the same thing. All are correct; participate simply sounds a touch more polished or official.
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