# instill

/ˌɪnˈstɪɫ/ (US) · /ɪnstˈɪl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/instill
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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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.