What does impart mean?
Impart is a formal verb meaning to communicate or transmit something valuable to someone, especially knowledge, information, an idea, or a quality such as confidence. It is often used in education, professional communication, and reflective prose: a teacher may impart knowledge, a guide may impart wisdom, or an experience may impart a sense of purpose. Unlike the more neutral word “share,” impart can suggest that the thing being passed on is important, carefully conveyed, or intended to last. It can also mean to give or inspire a quality in another person, as in “to impart confidence.” The word appears in formal and literary contexts more often than in casual speech, where “tell,” “share,” or “pass on” may be more natural.
To communicate or transmit information, knowledge, or an idea to someone.
"The lecture imparted a clear understanding of the historical period."
Formal and especially common in educational or professional contexts.
To give or inspire a quality, feeling, or impression in someone.
"The coach's calm presence imparted reassurance to the team."
Often used with qualities such as confidence, reassurance, wisdom, or hope.
From Latin for 'to give a share,' impart has long meant passing something valuable—from knowledge to wisdom—on to someone else.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does impart come from?
Impart comes from Latin impartire, formed from in-, meaning “into” or “upon,” and partire, “to divide” or “to share,” ultimately related to pars, “a part.” The word entered English through French and initially conveyed the idea of sharing or giving a part of something. Its modern meanings developed toward the transmission of knowledge, information, qualities, and impressions.
Related word forms
How impart is actually used
Impart is formal and often sounds educational or authoritative. It is especially common in contexts involving knowledge, wisdom, information, skills, confidence, and understanding.
Easily confused with impart
Impart means to communicate or transmit something, whereas impact means to have an effect on someone or something.