What does infuse mean?
Infuse is a formal and expressive verb meaning to permeate something with a quality, emotion, idea, or spirit. A person or place may be infused with confidence, energy, doubt, or a particular atmosphere, while a teacher or artist may infuse a lesson or performance with imagination. The phrase “infuse something with something” is especially common: “infuse the room with warmth” means to make warmth or a sense of welcome pervade it. The verb also has a culinary sense, referring to steeping tea, herbs, or spices so that they absorb flavor from liquid. Infuse is more literary and evocative than words such as add or impart, and it conveys an influence that spreads throughout its object rather than merely touching it. The related noun infusion denotes both this pervasive influence and the liquid extract produced by steeping ingredients.
verbTo imbue or permeate someone or something with a quality, emotion, or idea; also, to steep something in liquid so that it absorbs the liquid's flavors or properties.
- To imbue or permeate someone or something with a quality, emotion, idea, or spirit.
- To steep something in liquid so that it absorbs flavor, aroma, or other properties.
"Her calm confidence seemed to infuse the entire team."
"The mentor's patience infused the group with renewed confidence."
"Allow the tea to infuse for three minutes before serving it."
Infuse began with pouring liquid into something; over time, it learned to pour confidence, courage, and ideas into people.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infuse come from?
Infuse comes from the Latin infundere, meaning “to pour into,” formed from the prefix in- and fundere, “to pour.” The same Latin verbal root appears in words such as confuse, effuse, profuse, and confluent. In English, infuse developed from the idea of pouring liquid into something and was later extended to qualities, emotions, and ideas being conveyed throughout a person or thing.
Related word forms
How infuse is actually used
The verb is transitive and commonly takes the forms “infuse something with something” and “infuse something into something.” Its figurative use is formal or literary and suggests a deep, pervasive influence rather than a brief suggestion. In culinary contexts, it means to steep ingredients, especially tea or herbs.
Easily confused with infuse
Infuse means to permeate something with a quality or to steep it in liquid, whereas inspire means to motivate someone or stimulate an idea or emotion.