verb
imbue
im-BYOO
Imbue (verb) means to fill someone or something with a quality, feeling or idea so that it spreads through the whole of it. Example: “Her training imbued her with a deep respect for detail.”
verb
1
To fill someone or something with a quality, feeling or idea so that it spreads through the whole of it.
"Her training imbued her with a deep respect for detail."
"The score imbues even the quiet scenes with menace."
2
technical or literary To soak or saturate something with a liquid, especially a dye.
"The cloth was imbued with a deep indigo."
"Wood imbued with preservative lasts far longer outdoors."
How to use imbue
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo fill something all the way through with a feeling or quality.
When to use it
Formal and literary; common in reviews and criticism.
Memory tip
Imbue nearly always appears with 'with'. If you find yourself writing 'imbue to', rewrite the sentence.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
imbued with meaning
imbue with confidence
imbued with a sense of
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Her training _____ her with a deep respect for detail.
Etymology
From Latin imbuere, meaning to soak, steep or stain.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for imbue
See all rhymes for imbue →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between imbue and infuse?
They overlap closely, but imbue emphasises the result — the thing is now thoroughly filled with that quality. Infuse emphasises the act of putting it in, and is the ordinary word for flavours in cooking. You infuse oil with garlic; a place is imbued with history.
How is imbue used in a sentence?
The usual patterns are 'imbue A with B' and the passive 'A is imbued with B', where B is the quality. Say 'the film imbues the city with warmth', not 'imbues warmth to the city'.
What is the meaning of imbue?
"imbue" (verb) means to fill someone or something with a quality, feeling or idea so that it spreads through the whole of it.
What is another word for imbue?
Other words for "imbue" include infuse, suffuse, permeate, instil, pervade, riddle.
