What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
embue
Example
The artist sought to embue her paintings with a sense of nostalgia. [embue: verb]
Example
The speech was embued with a sense of hope and optimism. [embued: past participle]
imbue
Example
The writer sought to imbue her characters with a sense of realism. [imbue: verb]
Example
The music was imbued with a sense of melancholy and longing. [imbued: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Imbue is more commonly used than embue in everyday language, making it a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between embue and imbue?
Embue is often associated with a more formal or literary tone, while imbue can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a more versatile word.