imbibe

[ im-bahyb ]

verb (used with object)

, im·bibed, im·bib·ing.

1. to consume (liquids) by drinking; drink:

   He imbibed great quantities of iced tea.

   Synonyms: swallow

2. to absorb or soak up, as water, light, or heat:

   Plants imbibe moisture from the soil.

3. to take or receive into the mind, as knowledge, ideas, or the like:

   to imbibe a sermon; to imbibe beautiful scenery.

verb (used without object)

, im·bibed, im·bib·ing.

1. to drink, especially alcoholic beverages:

   Just a soft drink for me—I don't imbibe.

2. to absorb liquid or moisture.
3. Archaic. to soak or saturate; imbue.

imbibe

/ ɪmˈbaɪb /

verb

1. to drink (esp alcoholic drinks)
2. literary.
   to take in or assimilate (ideas, facts, etc)

   to imbibe the spirit of the Renaissance

3. tr to take in as if by drinking

   to imbibe fresh air

4. to absorb or cause to absorb liquid or moisture; assimilate or saturate

Derived Forms

• imˈbiber, noun

Other Words From

• im·biber noun
• preim·bibe verb (used with object) preimbibed preimbibing
• unim·bibed adjective
• unim·bibing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of imbibe¹

1350–1400; < Latin imbibere to drink in, equivalent to im- im- ¹ + bibere to drink; replacing Middle English enbiben < Middle French embiber < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of imbibe¹

C14: from Latin imbibere, from bibere to drink

Synonym Study

See drink.

Example Sentences

But when doctors said he could imbibe at 19, “The floodgates opened,” he recalled in 2017.

From Los Angeles Times

An extremely light drinker, Yamamoto said that even the magnitude of this victory couldn’t drive him to imbibe any of the adult beverages provided to the players.

From Los Angeles Times

Admittedly, I haven’t kept up with the sport since then, both as a player and a fan — as with many other Open attendees, I was simply there because I love live sporting events and anything that lets me imbibe delicious food and drink at a New York-based venue.

From Salon

Even when what you really want is a non-alcoholic Aperol spritz, it can feel awkward to repeatedly say “no thanks!” in the face of constant pressure to imbibe.

From Seattle Times

Abu Dhabi long has been considered by those living in the UAE to be more buttoned-up than the rambunctious neighboring emirate of Dubai, home to night clubs, beach bars and pubs drawing tourists and residents to imbibe.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• assimilate
• guzzle
• ingest
• quaff