partake

American  

[pahr-tayk] / pɑrˈteɪk /

verb (used without object)

• partakes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• partook,
  past
• partaken,
  past participle
• partaking
  present participle

1. to take or have a part or share along with others; participate (usually followed byin ).

   He won't partake in the victory celebration.

2. to receive, take, or have a share or portion (usually followed byof ).

   to partake of a meal.

3. to have something of the nature or character (usually followed byof ).

   feelings partaking of both joy and regret.

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verb (used with object)

• partakes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• partook,
  past
• partaken,
  past participle
• partaking
  present participle

1. to take or have a part in; share.

partake British  

/ pɑːˈteɪk /

verb

1. (foll by in) to have a share; participate

   to partake in the excitement

2. (foll by of) to take or receive a portion, esp of food or drink

   each partook of the food offered to him

3. (foll by of) to suggest or have some of the quality (of)

   music partaking of sadness

4. archaic (tr) to share in

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Usage

Partake of is sometimes wrongly used as if it were a synonym of eat or drink. Correctly, one can only partake of food or drink which is available for several people to share

Synonym Usage

See share ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• partaker
  noun
• prepartake
  verb (used without object)
• partakable
  adjective
• unpartaken
  adjective
• unpartaking
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• partaking
  present
• partaken
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• partake
  simple
• partakes
  simple
• have partaken
  perfect
• has partaken
  perfect
• am partaking
  progressive
• are partaking
  progressive
• is partaking
  progressive
• have been partaking
  perfect progressive
• has been partaking
  perfect progressive

Past

• partook
  simple
• had partaken
  perfect
• was partaking
  progressive
• were partaking
  progressive
• had been partaking
  perfect progressive

Future

• will partake
  simple
• will have partaken
  perfect
• will be partaking
  progressive
• will have been partaking
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of partake

First recorded in 1555–65; back formation from partaking, Middle English part taking, translation of Latin participātiō “taking part”; see participation

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Explanation

When you partake in something, you join in, like when you partake in the three-legged race and bobbing for apples at your town fall festival. The verb partake is almost always followed by the word in, and used in a somewhat formal context. You partake in whatever activities you participate — or take part — in, like when you partake in a backyard football game or partake in your family's holiday cookie making party. If you get a share of something, you also partake of it, like when you partake of the delicious buffet at your cousin's wedding.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

partake partakes partook partaken partaking

Wealthier consumers continue to partake in what some Fed officials this year have called “unapologetic luxury,” driving up prices for jewelry, watches and other items in the process.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

“Don’t know when he’s going to partake in a live situation, but that’ll be kind of a good gauge.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Men would also scroll YouTube videos, partake in online sports betting and convince women on the outside to date them, sometimes seemingly to get those women to wire money into their commissary accounts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

West Virginia adopted the nation’s first program to make those funds universally available in 2021 and today, 18 states are inviting any student to partake, regardless of family income or existing private school enrollment.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

They allowed him to eat at their table, to taste the nectar and ambrosia which except for him alone none but the immortals could partake of.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Eventually, it becomes clear that this quaint legal loophole — in which James, of course, partakes — has given rise to a subculture of amorality among a small group of tourists.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 25, 2023

The latest research adds on to exciting global research around dogs and language, like the study Bunny the Talking Dog partakes in, as Salon has previously reported.

From Salon ● Jan. 11, 2022

Iverson wants these moments for other people, even though he no longer partakes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2021

Then, in a scene that borders on the surreal, Anna partakes in a ritual that releases her from the past, resulting in a kind of rebirth.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 7, 2021

The Vicar is so far restored that he leaves the jail and partakes of a bountiful repast, at which the company is "as merry as affluence and innocence could make them."

From The Gentle Reader by Samuel McChord Crothers

The question hung over October’s Yale Family Weekend, as parents partook of cherished traditions like performances by the Yale Glee Club, lectures by distinguished faculty and tours of the neo-Gothic-style campus.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2025

The King and Queen later partook in a tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall, the official residence of Canada's governor general.

From BBC ● May 26, 2025

When asked by Henley to return his stolen property, the defendants failed to comply and instead, partook in a lengthy campaign to prevent Henley from recovering the notes.

From Salon ● Feb. 21, 2024

Just one year into the restaurant’s tenure, a 2002 Seattle Times review lauded the “culinary delights” found within, and over the years, many, many partook.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 21, 2023

The rope received the flame greedily; the transports of greed were succeeded by the profligacy of utmost generosity; and soon the whole store partook.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

She has partaken in the initiation ritual of a seemingly terrifying role-playing game where users — mostly young people — experience bizarre supernatural symptoms.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2022

It’ll provide him a chance to enjoy a perk that he’s rarely partaken in since winning the Masters.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 5, 2022

The thing is, I had not, until recently, partaken in this magical quartet in one of their more obvious, beloved iterations: spaghetti carbonara.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 23, 2022

What if I had not just partaken of the free wine and cheese and instead hobnobbed and made connections like I was supposed to?

From New York Times ● Nov. 23, 2018

She had partaken of the arts—road companies of plays and even operas, with their magic and promise of an aromatic world outside.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

They’re styling their homes with pumpkin decor and cozy blankets, showing off fall outfits and partaking in fall drink menus at coffee shops.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

During her dream bridal shower, Williams and her friends munched on Asian food before partaking in a lip-synch battle.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 29, 2025

Even investors who aren’t partaking in the selling should pay attention to big losers.

From Barron's ● Nov. 25, 2025

The stress of it all left Feldman partaking in what became a quintessential pandemic activity: Zillow scrolling.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 13, 2024

Then, gauging my continued reluctance, he snarls, “You’ve been to the crow’s nest, haven’t you? You’ve been partaking of its odious libations. I can see it in your eyes!”

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

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