partake

American  

[pahr-teyk] / 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
• 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

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

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

He doesn’t partake in alcohol, coffee, or cigarettes, so it’s not like he has something else to provide a pick-me-up.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

When Mr. Lai speaks of faith, you feel as if you’re being invited to partake in a noble mission, not lectured at, and Claire shares his gentle sincerity on the topic.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

This is the biggest - and potentially longest - experience and tournament many will partake in.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Moreno’s ingenuity as an independent bilingual creative allowed her to freely partake in various opportunities in entertainment.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

“Refreshments are in the next room, if you care to partake of them.”

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine