infuse
Americanverb (used with object)
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infuses,
present (3rd person singular)
-
infused,
past participle, past
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infusing
present participle
-
to introduce, as if by pouring; cause to penetrate; instill (usually followed byinto ).
The energetic new principal infused new life into the school.
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to imbue or inspire (usually followed bywith ).
The new coach infused the team with enthusiasm.
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to steep or soak (leaves, bark, roots, etc.) in a liquid so as to extract the soluble properties or ingredients.
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Obsolete. to pour in.
verb (used without object)
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infuses,
present (3rd person singular)
-
infused,
past participle, past
-
infusing
present participle
verb
-
to instil or inculcate
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to inspire; emotionally charge
-
to soak or be soaked in order to extract flavour or other properties
-
rare (foll by into) to pour
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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infusernoun
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reinfuseverb (used with object)
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superinfuseverb (used with object)
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uninfusedadjective
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uninfusingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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infusesimple
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infusessimple
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have infusedperfect
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has infusedperfect
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am infusingprogressive
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are infusingprogressive
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is infusingprogressive
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have been infusingperfect progressive
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has been infusingperfect progressive
Past
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infusedsimple
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had infusedperfect
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was infusingprogressive
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were infusingprogressive
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had been infusingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of infuse
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin infūsus, past participle of infundere “to pour into”; see in- 2, fuse 2
Explanation
To infuse is to steep something in a liquid to extract the flavors from it. You'll impress your friends with your cooking if you infuse rosemary and thyme in broth and then use the liquid to marinate chicken. To infuse also means to inspire or fill with a certain quality. Your goal might be to infuse your writing with such humor that your readers laugh until they cry. The medical meaning of infuse is to introduce a medicinal therapy through a patient's vein. When you're badly dehydrated, doctors may need to infuse you with fluids. The Latin root infusus means "to pour into."
Vocabulary lists containing infuse
"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act I
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Donald Trump Inauguration Address- January 20, 2017
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"This Is Water" by David Foster Wallace
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Some plants infuse their leaves with chemicals that are toxic to pests but useful to humans in moderation, such as the bitter tannins in tea and the fragrant oils in mint and rosemary.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
“Interiors by Stewart-Gulrajani merge architecture and artistry with exacting precision. Vaulted open-beam ceilings, vast picture windows, and refined finishes infuse each room with air, light, and composure,” the description added.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
Instead, the actor chose to infuse her own heritage into the character, who uses Tamil as a way to feel connected to her late father.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026
I marveled at their energy, which seemed to feed off the audience and then infuse it with even more power.
From Salon ● May 29, 2026
But somehow I couldn’t infuse my voice with the proper outrage.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
In her best quotable moments, she seamlessly infuses her sometimes shrill timbre with a dash of Southern drawl.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026
And the musical setting, provided by his band the Dark Clouds, retains a country-rock core but infuses it with a heavy dose of funk that occasionally tips over into disco.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026
Vicioso infuses wisdom into her instruction on floral arrangements: There are no mistakes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026
The song is usually more spoken than sung, but Kirk infuses it with melody and soul.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 1, 2026
The shadows from the trees shift in the soft light, and the smell of wet earth infuses the air.
From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed
The $99 dish, roasted with herb butter under the skin, comes with crunchy sourdough stuffing infused with foie gras and mashed potatoes whipped with butter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The engineered cells are then shipped back and infused into the patient.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
He has the Bruins 4-0 and has roused their hibernating fan base and infused it with hope and belief and good vibes — everything that’s lacking from Riley’s program.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
She has infused her suits and dresses with yellow, red, purple, or floral prints, keeping them structured yet light.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
“He had the same dedication, but it was infused with a compassion, and a humanity,” she later said.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
Just before everything came together, I folded in sour cream, infusing a bit of tang to balance the sweet.
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
For nearly five decades, they served up diner classics like steak and eggs and a hearty stack of pancakes while infusing the meals with touches that showcased their Chinese heritage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Attention around Rocket Lab has reached a fever pitch ahead of SpaceX’s public listing, infusing volatility into the shares.
From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026
In speeches and interviews over the past year, Warsh has laid out an agenda that calls for infusing the institution with new thinking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026
Over the centuries, residue seeped through the floor, infusing the land beneath with the wine’s personality.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
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