# partake

/pɑɹˈteɪk/ (US) · /pɑːtˈeɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/partake
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to participate

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to join in an activity or event with other people.

For teachers: to join in or participate in an activity. Intransitive; usually takes the preposition 'in'.

- Visitors are invited to partake in the traditional dances during the festival.
- Although he was a reserved man, he felt compelled to partake in the local festivities to show his support for the community.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'in'.

### 2. to eat or drink

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to eat or drink something, especially when it is offered to you.

For teachers: to consume a portion of food or drink. Intransitive; usually takes the preposition 'of'.

- Would you like to partake of some refreshments before the meeting starts?
- The guests were encouraged to partake of the buffet, which featured a wide array of regional delicacies.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'of'.

### 3. to have a quality

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

to have some of the qualities or characteristics of something else.

For teachers: to possess a certain quality, nature, or character in common with something else.

- His style of writing seems to partake of both poetry and journalism.
- The architecture of the new cathedral appeared to partake of both Gothic and modern minimalist influences.

Usage: Followed by the preposition 'of'.

## Examples

- Would you like to partake in the celebration?
- After the ceremony, the guests were invited to the garden to partake of some light refreshments.
- While many visitors simply watch the parade, the locals encourage everyone to partake in the traditional dances that have defined the festival for centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.