# infuse

/ˌɪnˈfjuz/ (US) · /ɪnfjˈuːz/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infuse
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

to put a liquid into something else to give it a specific taste or smell. You can also use it to describe a feeling or idea that slowly enters a person's mind.

For teachers: to introduce a substance into another to impart a particular quality or characteristic; to permeate or saturate. Often used in culinary contexts to describe the transfer of flavor from one ingredient to another.

## Examples

- I like to infuse my tea with fresh mint leaves.
- The chef infuses the oil with garlic and rosemary to create a base for the pasta sauce.
- The novel is infused with a sense of melancholy that permeates every chapter, reflecting the protagonist's deepening isolation as the story progresses.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.