infuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "infuse" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of introducing or instilling a quality, flavor, or idea into something. Example: "The chef decided to infuse the dish with fresh herbs for added flavor." Alternative expressions include "instill," "imbue," and "inject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for a further 15 minutes to let the flavours infuse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And this collection paid homage to the era of DVF's youth: the head-to-toe lipstick and wave prints, swirling maxis, Ossie Clark-esque dresses and heady shades of lipstick, tobacco and turquoise that infuse the collection with the intoxicating glamour of 1970s New York.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Infuse the herbs in the rum for an hour or two, strain and decant into a sterilised jar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Set aside to infuse and cool a little.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Spoon the escabeche over the sardines and leave to infuse for half an hour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We also like lots of Moroccan music from previous generations, and we try to infuse some of that into our own music.

The Guardian - Music

Leave to infuse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr Tarantino tends to infuse his films with more heart than he gets credit for.

The Economist

EVEN as the first Europeans to go to the polls since the formal launch of the single currency, the Dutch found it hard to infuse excitement into their general-election campaign.

The Economist

This has prompted some athletes to infuse themselves with their own blood.

The Economist

Up to 22% of children brought into African hospitals in this condition end up dead.To stave off an immediate demise, the standard practice in most hospitals is rapidly to infuse a large dose of fluid, known as bolus.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "infuse", consider the specific quality or substance you are introducing and ensure it aligns with the overall tone and context of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "infuse" repeatedly within a short span, especially if the qualities being infused are very similar. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "imbue", "permeate", or "instill" for enhanced clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "infuse" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the act of introducing a quality, idea, or substance into something else, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples, where it's used to describe adding flavor, emotion, or vitality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infuse" is a versatile transitive verb that means to fill or permeate something with a quality or substance. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's frequently employed in news, encyclopedias, scientific, and formal business contexts to denote enhancing or transforming something with a particular attribute. While "infuse" is generally considered grammatically correct and is quite common, remember to consider alternative synonyms to enhance your word choice in limited context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permeate

Focuses on the spreading and penetration of something throughout a substance or area.

imbue

Highlights the act of inspiring or endowing something with a particular quality or feeling.

instill

Emphasizes the gradual introduction of an idea, feeling, or quality into someone's mind.

saturate

Indicates a thorough soaking or filling to the point where no more can be absorbed.

ingrain

Suggests a deep and lasting implantation of a habit, belief, or attitude.

inculcate

Refers to the persistent teaching of someone through frequent instruction.

suffuse

Implies a gradual spreading of color, light, or emotion.

charge

Conveys the idea of filling something with energy, emotion, or significance.

fill

A general term for making something full, but can also imply filling with a specific quality.

inject

Suggests a forceful or sudden introduction of something.

FAQs

How can I use "infuse" in a sentence?

You can use "infuse" to describe adding a quality, flavor, or characteristic to something. For example, "The chef wanted to "infuse" the dish with exotic spices" or "The writer sought to "infuse" the story with a sense of hope."

What are some synonyms for "infuse"?

Alternatives to "infuse" include "imbue", "permeate", "instill", and "saturate", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "infuse with" or "infuse in"?

The correct usage is "infuse with". For example, you would say ""infuse" the tea with herbs", not ""infuse" the tea in herbs".

What's the difference between "infuse" and "impregnate"?

"Infuse" generally means to fill or permeate with a quality or substance, while "impregnate" implies a deeper, more thorough saturation. "Infuse" is often used for flavors or ideas, whereas impregnate can also refer to physical saturation.