What does imparting mean?
Imparting is the act of passing on knowledge, information, skills, or a quality so that another person receives it. The word is the present participle of "impart," and it has a formal, educational tone: we speak of teachers imparting knowledge, trainers imparting skills, and witnesses imparting information. Unlike the more neutral "sharing," "imparting" often suggests a deliberate transfer and may imply that the recipient is being taught or influenced. It can also mean conferring something more abstract, such as confidence, flavour, or an impression. Although "imparting" is used in everyday conversation, formal writing, and professional settings, simpler verbs such as "give," "share," and "teach" are often preferable when the tone need not be elevated. Recognising the word is useful because it precisely describes communication that is not merely incidental: something valued is deliberately passed from one person, institution, or generation to another.
verbTo communicate or transmit knowledge, information, or skills to someone. It can also mean to give or confer a quality, feeling, or impression.
- To communicate or transmit knowledge, information, or skills to someone.
- To give or confer a quality, feeling, or impression.
"The mentor took care to impart a confidence that would stay with her throughout the year."
"The experienced nurse spent the morning imparting practical advice to newly qualified staff."
"The old timber walls impart the building a distinctive atmosphere."
Imparting is knowledge in motion: it carries an idea from one mind to another.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of imparting
Impart comes from the Latin verb impartire, meaning "to share" or "to make known," formed from the prefix in- ("into" or "on") and partire ("to divide" or "to share"). Partire is related to Latin pars, meaning "a part" or "share," and to a wider family of English words including partial, partition, and impartial. The English word has long been used for both teaching and communicating knowledge or qualities.
Related word forms
How imparting is actually used
The word has a formal, educational, or professional register. It often suggests a deliberate transfer of knowledge or influence, while simpler verbs such as "give," "share," or "teach" may be more appropriate in informal contexts.
Easily confused with imparting
Imparting means passing knowledge or information to someone, whereas impacting means affecting or influencing the course of an event, person, or system.