Join in meaning
Join in means to start taking part in something that others are already doing.
join in
join in · joined · joining
Everyone started dancing, so I joined in.
Join in meanings and examples
One meaning, each with its own CEFR level from Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries and the Cambridge Dictionary.
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1
Start taking part in something that others are already doing
join in
- Everyone started dancing, so I joined in.
- Can I join in your game?
- She sat in the corner and didn’t join in the conversation.
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use join in in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is join in separable?
Join in is not separable. You can use it alone (I joined in) or add the activity after it: join in the fun. You can also say join in with: join in with the singing.
Join alone means become a member or meet someone: join a club, join us for dinner. Join in is about the activity itself.
Verb tenses for join in
| Present | I join in · she joins in |
|---|---|
| Past | joined in |
| Present perfect | have joined in |
| -ing form | joining in |
Common mistakes with join in
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: I want to join in the gym.
Right: I want to join the gym.
For becoming a member, use join, not join in.
Wrong: Can I join in to your game?
Right: Can I join in your game?
No to after join in.
Wrong: The kids joined the singing in.
Right: The kids joined in the singing.
Join in is not separable.
Synonyms and opposites of join in
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- take part inthe neutral, slightly formal phrase
- participateformal, take part
- fit infeel accepted in a group, not just take part
Opposite
- sit outnot take part in a dance or game
- stay out ofchoose not to be involved
Join in quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1The band played a famous song and the crowd ___.
Join in means start doing what others are doing.
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2Choose the right sentence.
To become a member, use join, not join in.
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3A teacher says: “Let’s all join in the last verse!” What should the class do?
Join in means take part with the others.
Find your level
The phrasal verbs test adapts as you answer, from A2 to C1, and shows which ones you miss.
- get inA2enter a car, a taxi, a building or a small space
- take inB2let a person or an animal live in your home
- put inA2put something inside a container, a machine or a drink
- go inA2enter a room or a building
- come inA2enter a room or building, towards the speaker
- give inB1finally agree to something after refusing
- break inB2get into a building by force, usually to steal things
- bring inB2start using a new law, rule or system
Join in FAQ
Questions people ask about join in.
What is the difference between join and join in?
Join means become part of a group or meet people: join a team. Join in means take part in an activity: join in the game.
Join in or join in with?
Both are fine: join in the fun, join in with the fun. With is more common in UK English.
Is join in formal?
No, it is everyday English. In formal writing, take part in or participate in may fit better.
Use join in in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.