Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of instill
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin instillāre, equivalent to in- in- 2 + stillāre “to drip”; see distill
Explanation
Parents work hard to develop, or instill, positive beliefs and values in their children. Interestingly, there's no corresponding word for when parents pass down their bad habits. Instill comes from the Latin verb stillare, meaning "to drip." For some people, this word provides an apt metaphor for the way that parents and teachers cultivate understanding in young learners, patiently introducing wisdom "drop by drop." (Of course, for others, instill conjures up the image of a persistently dripping faucet that just won't be quiet.)
Vocabulary lists containing instill
I Am Malala
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Fever 1793
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Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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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:
Like Guidera, Walsh also works as a surf instructor with a similar goal to instill confidence in his students.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
As it happens, a questioning mindset is precisely what most of our schools do not instill.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
It also was a first for Green Dot, which typically had created new public charter schools from scratch, one grade at a time, to instill a strong culture of motivated families who assertively opt in.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
At the very least, the president of the United States should instill hope in young children.
From Salon ● May 8, 2026
For Terryl, the exhilaration around learning was a sign of the enthusiasm she tried to instill in her children, tried to exhibit for them.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
California’s renewed belief largely stems from first-time skipper Tosh Lupoi, who has instilled enthusiasm at his alma mater since taking over for the fired Justin Wilcox in December.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
The airstrikes have instilled deep fear in Ecuadoran fishermen.
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
Despite their fame, the children's parents and manager have instilled in them an "education-first" mentality.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Suwa nevertheless instilled in the fledgling ballerina a discipline and rigor that would carry Morishita through her career.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
The threat of Bologna to others had instilled in Doc Daneeka an even more poignant solicitude for his own safety.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Her father worked there while pursuing an engineering degree, instilling a work ethic she applied to everything from martial arts to a job taking out the trash at a park.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
Alongside his parents, Nadal credits his uncle and longtime coach, Toni, with instilling his trademark mental toughness.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
De la Fuente's success with Spain is the product of decades of work within the Spanish federation, and of his own role as a coach in that system since 2013, shaping players and instilling values.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Attenborough's programmes succeeded in instilling in the public an unparallelled passion and wonder for the natural world, said Gouyon.
From Barron's ● May 6, 2026
Far from instilling resentment, Martin told her, the patrollers’ diligence was a point of pride from county to county.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
