imbibe

1 of 2

verb

im·​bibe im-ˈbīb 

imbibed; imbibing

transitive verb

1

a

formal + often humorous : drink

imbibing large amounts of coffee/wine

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

formal + often humorous : drink sense 2

He no longer imbibes, but doesn't mind if others do.

2

a

: to take in liquid

b

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

imbiber noun

imbiber

2 of 2

noun

im·​bib·​er

-ībə(r)

plural -s

: one that imbibes

Synonyms of imbibe

Verb

• drink
• sip
• gulp

Examples of imbibe in a Sentence

Verb

She imbibed vast quantities of coffee.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Condori shared her restaurant and bar recommendations for On the Menu, a series that features chefs, bartenders and other industry professionals sharing their most beloved spots in KC to eat and imbibe. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026

Many years ago, before drunk-driving charges were euphemized as driving while intoxicated, Dan Marino liked to imbibe a little. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Drinks and subpar nachos will be shared beneath the musty rafters of the tavern where the surveyors Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon once imbibed. — Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026

Throughout the day, this can create numerous situations where drinks such as coffee/iced coffee, energy drinks, or alcohol are imbibed. — Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

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

Rhymes for imbibe

• ascribe
• describe
• inscribe
• prescribe
• proscribe
• subscribe
• transcribe
• bribe
• gibe
• jibe
• tribe
• vibe

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