Imbue Meaning in English

word

US

ˌɪmˈbju

im-BYOO

UK

ɪmbjˈuː

im-BYOO

Definition

To fill something or someone with a particular quality, feeling, or idea.

Usage & Nuances

Formal and literary—rarely used in everyday speech. Common with words like 'spirit', 'values', 'emotion', and 'meaning'. Usually used in the passive form ('be imbued with'). Often confused with 'infuse' or 'inspire', but 'imbue' suggests a deep, lasting influence.

• Spanish: impregnar - infundir
• Portuguese (BR): impregnar - infundir
• Portuguese (PT): impregnar - infundir
• Chinese (Simplified): 充满 - 灌输
• Chinese (Traditional): 充滿 - 灌輸
• Hindi: भर देना - सराबोर करना
• Arabic: يغمر - يملأ
• Bengali: প্রবিষ্ট করা - সঞ্চারিত করা
• Russian: насыщать - пропитывать - наполнять (чувством)
• Japanese: 染み込ませる - 吹き込む
• Vietnamese: thấm nhuần - truyền vào
• Korean: 불어넣다 - 스며들게 하다
• Turkish: aşılamak - içine işlemek
• Urdu: سرایت کرنا - بھر دینا (احساس یا خوبی سے)
• Indonesian: mengisi - membubuhi (makna/emosi)

Example Sentences

The teacher tried to imbue her students with a love of reading.

basic

Stories can imbue children with important values.

basic

Her speech was imbued with hope for the future.

basic

The artist’s paintings are imbued with emotion.

natural

Tradition imbues this festival with special meaning.

natural

He wanted to imbue his work with creativity.

natural