Word
instill
Phoneticsin·still, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈstɪɫ/
UK/ɪnstˈɪl/
UK spelling · instil
Definition
v. to give someone a feeling, belief, or quality over a long period of time. It is often used when a parent or teacher teaches a child a value.
v. to implant or impress a feeling, belief, or quality in someone through persistent effort. Transitive; typically used in the context of education or moral development.
Examples
“Parents try to instill a love of reading in their children.”
“The school curriculum is designed to instill a sense of responsibility and community service in every student.”
“Through decades of rigorous training and mentorship, the master sought to instill in his apprentices a level of discipline that would define their entire professional careers.”
Examples
simple
“Parents try to instill a love of reading in their children.”
contextual
“The school curriculum is designed to instill a sense of responsibility and community service in every student.”
complex
“Through decades of rigorous training and mentorship, the master sought to instill in his apprentices a level of discipline that would define their entire professional careers.”
Real-World Examples
“Victoria and her husband , Albert, were early adopters of photography , instilling a love of the new technology in their many royal relatives.” “I think it’s reasonable to interpret this jumbling as a tactic intended to chill protected activity by instilling fear in those who disagree with the Trump administration’s policies.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin instillō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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