imbue

[ im-byoo ]

verb (used with object)

, im·bued, im·bu·ing.

1. to impregnate or inspire, as with feelings, opinions, etc.:

   The new political leader was imbued with the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

   Synonyms: fire, infect, charge

2. to saturate or impregnate with moisture, color, etc.

   Synonyms: soak, tincture, infuse, permeate

3. to imbrue.

imbue

/ ɪmˈbjuː /

verb

1. to instil or inspire (with ideals, principles, etc)

   his sermons were imbued with the spirit of the Reformation

2. rare.
   to soak, esp with moisture, dye, etc

Derived Forms

• imˈbuement, noun

Other Words From

• im·bue·ment noun
• pre·im·bue verb (used with object) preimbued preimbuing

Word History and Origins

Origin of imbue¹

First recorded in 1545–55, imbue is from the Latin word imbuere “to wet, drench”

Word History and Origins

Origin of imbue¹

C16: from Latin imbuere to stain, accustom

Example Sentences

“He imbued love into every single second of music he made. That was his real legacy.”

From Los Angeles Times

How did you imbue your experiences from Hibiscus and Eleven Madison Park into The Noortwyck?

From Salon

Trump has already officially named his "border czar," an unofficial position he apparently plans on imbuing with immense power.

From Salon

Jazz, one of his first loves, imbued everything he did in film scores, pop and education.

From Los Angeles Times

And it imbues the foodstuffs, home goods, clothes, paraphernalia and tchotchkes that hail from here with a sort of unquantifiable, ineffable, sun-kissed, surf-adjacent vibe that wraps around you like a cartoon bear hug.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inculcate
• ingrain
• instill
• leaven
• permeate
• pervade
• steep
• suffuse