imbibe

verb

im·​bibe im-ˈbīb 

imbibed; imbibing

transitive verb

1

a

: drink

b

: to take in or up

a sponge imbibes moisture

2

a

: to receive into the mind and retain

imbibe moral principles

b

: to assimilate or take into solution

3

archaic : soak, steep

intransitive verb

1

: drink sense 2

2

a

: to take in liquid

b

: to absorb or assimilate moisture, gas, light, or heat

imbiber noun

Synonyms

• belt (down)
• drink
• gulp
• guzzle
• hoist
• knock back
• pound (down)
• quaff
• sip
• slug (down)
• slurp
• sup
• swig
• swill
• toss (down or off)

Examples of imbibe in a Sentence

She imbibed vast quantities of coffee.

She never imbibes but isn't offended when others do.

Recent Examples on the Web

It was also thought to have divine power as both Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo said they were heavenly inspired upon imbibing an infusion made from its leaves. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 23 Nov. 2024

The majority of commenters agreed that the guest broke no etiquette rules and had no obligation to imbibe. —Erin Clack, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist who covers spirits, wine and the global culture of imbibing. —Jillian Dara, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

Folks piled in early to start imbibing in anticipation of that night’s men’s basketball national championship game, Knight’s Isiah Thomas-led Hoosiers against Dean Smith, Al Wood, James Worthy and North Carolina. —Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enbiben to absorb, cause to absorb, from Latin imbibere to drink in, absorb, from in- + bibere to drink — more at potable

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Kids Definition

imbibe

verb

im·​bibe im-ˈbīb 

imbibed; imbibing

1

: to receive into the mind and retain

imbibe knowledge

2

a

: drink entry 1 sense 1a

b

: absorb sense 1

imbiber noun