imbue

[ im-byoo ]
See synonyms for: imbueimbuedimbuesimbuement on Thesaurus.com

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.

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

  1. to imbrue.

Origin of imbue

1
First recorded in 1545–55, imbue is from the Latin word imbuere “to wet, drench”

Other words for imbue

Other words from imbue

  • im·bue·ment, noun
  • pre·im·bue, verb (used with object), pre·im·bued, pre·im·bu·ing.

Words that may be confused with imbue

Words Nearby imbue

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use imbue in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for imbue

imbue

/ (ɪmˈbjuː) /


verb-bues, -buing or -bued (tr usually foll by with)
  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

Origin of imbue

1
C16: from Latin imbuere to stain, accustom

Derived forms of imbue

  • imbuement, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012