What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imbue
Example
The teacher tried to imbue her students with a love of learning. [imbue: verb]
Example
The painting was imbued with a sense of melancholy. [imbued: past participle]
permeate
Example
The smell of garlic permeated the entire house. [permeated: past tense]
Example
The corruption had permeated every level of the government. [permeate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Permeate is more commonly used than imbue in everyday language, especially in a negative context. Imbue is less common and tends to be used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between imbue and permeate?
Imbue is generally considered more formal and literary than permeate, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
