imbibe

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

Synonyms of imbibe

• drink
• sip
• gulp

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

Upon decampment, the drowsy drinker is met with one final chance to imbibe, at the outside window, its sliding partition reminiscent of a Mister Softee’s. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026

Reading these books is imbibing the Word of God, revealing Christ, which lights up our lives, illuminating the true idea of God as Love, and man as Love’s expression. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2026

Coleman shared his 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, 22 Sep. 2026

Food and drink Opening four spots for dining and imbibing in an area as gastronomically oversaturated as this is a punchy move. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

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

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