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

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."

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 notes

In 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 ↓

Easily confused with

imbibe → infuse → endow

Common pairings

imbued with meaning imbue with confidence imbued with a sense of

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her training _____ her with a deep respect for detail.

Etymology

From Latin imbuere, meaning to soak, steep or stain.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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infuse suffuse permeate instil pervade saturate steep soak impregnate

Related Words

expensive bath steep costly penetrate brew soak pawn

Rhymes for imbue

rue due sue cue hue blue true flue clue glue pique segue

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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'.

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