infuse
/ɪnˈfjuːz/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To fill something with a quality, feeling, or idea. It often suggests that the new quality spreads through it slowly and strongly.
- The leader infused the team with confidence.
- Her speech was infused with hope.
- The room was infused with a calm energy.
- 2.
To put a flavour, colour, or smell into food or a liquid by soaking or mixing it with something else.
- Infuse the tea for five minutes.
- The chef infused the oil with garlic.
- Add herbs to infuse the broth.
Adinary Nuance
Infuse is stronger and more vivid than add or give. It suggests something spreads through the whole thing, not just enters it. Writers often use it for feelings, energy, flavour, or style.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thấm vào
- Spanish
- infundir
- Chinese
- 注入
- Japanese
- 吹き込む
- Korean
- 불어넣다
Etymology
Infuse comes from Latin infundere, meaning “pour in.” It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
infuse with confidenceinfuse with energyinfuse teainfuse flavour into
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is infuse a formal word?
- Yes, it is fairly formal. It is common in writing, business, and academic English.
- What is the difference between infuse and add?
- Add is neutral and simple. Infuse suggests a deeper effect that spreads through the whole thing.
- Can I use infuse for emotions?
- Yes. You can say a speech, place, or story is infused with hope, fear, or warmth.
- How do I use infuse with food?
- Use it when flavour or smell slowly enters a liquid or food, like tea or oil.