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Glite Dictionary
to join in

to join in

143 1.1
To take part in an activity that others are already doing
  • phrasal verb
  • /dʒɔɪn ɪn/
translation icon : participar en
  • When the group started singing, several people from the audience began to join in with their voices.
  • join in the conversation
  • join in the discussion
  • join in a group

And suddenly they all join in the hunt.

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Examples

  • About twenty people from the crowd joined in to learn the dance steps.

    Academic text (2011)

  • As a result, the three institutions joined in a plan to erect the telescope in Arizona.

    Academic text (1991)

  • So you can access that and and join in our session.

  • It's time that she joined in and said that as well.

  • That makes me want to stick around, join in and be a part of your process.

  • All right, join in if you think you can do this.

    Surf's Up (2007)

  • When my friends talk about music, I never feel able to join in the conversation.

    Academic text (1993)

  • All are invited to join in the celebration in the Old yard.

  • Over the radio, listeners should be able to reply and join in the conversation.

  • There was a great roar as the crowd joined in the singing and dancing.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

to join
vsto join in
∞ 1.0

Become a member of a group or take part in its activities

focuses more on entering events already underway rather than membership change
to participate
vsto join in
866 2.5

To join in an activity with other people

stresses entering activities already underway rather than general involvement
to engage
vsto join in
676 3.4

To take part in an activity

puts weight on entering activities already underway rather than steady involvement
to take part
vsto join in
169 1.4

To join in an activity with other people

highlights entering activities already in progress instead of general group involvement
to mingle
vsto join in
64 3.1

Join and talk with other people at a meeting or party

refers to entering activities already underway, not mainly to social mixing
to pitch in
vsto join in
58 3.3

Join others to give work, help, or money for a shared task

is about entering activities in general rather than specifically offering help
to partake
vsto join in
  • Formal
28 5.5

To take part in something and get a share, for example a company's profits

focuses on entering group activities already underway rather than sharing a portion
to partake in
vsto join in
  • Formal
20 4.3

To join an activity or event with other people

highlights entering activities already underway rather than merely sharing an experience
to join the discussion
vsto join in
5 2.8

Take part in a conversation already happening

applies to any activity and stresses entering those already underway
to get in the swim
vsto join in
  • Informal
8.4

To start taking part in an activity or group

emphasizes entering events already underway rather than slowly becoming involved
to get amongst it
vsto join in
  • UK
8.6

To join an activity or group with energy and interest

may describe entering activities already underway without implying strong enthusiasm

Antonyms

to withdraw
466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

to opt out
50 3.5

To choose not to take part in something

How Involved

to lead
∞ 1.0
to join in
143 1.1
to help out
  • Informal
486 1.0
to watch
∞ 1.0
to stand back
159 1.6

Surface Forms

join in infinitive
joined in past
joined in past participle
joining in present participle
joins in third person singular

Morphology

join + in

The meaning 'to take part in' is directly and compositionally derived from 'join' (to become part/take part) + 'in' (indicating inclusion/into an activity). This verb+particle construction follows a common and transparent pattern in English (and has clear parallels in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Join in gives a clear picture: someone moves into a group to join and puts their hand in the middle of a circle to take part. So it means 'to take part' in an activity with others.