Meaning & use
impart
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Meanings
verbtransitiveformal
To pass information, skill or wisdom to someone.
Grammar: Takes an object, often with to: impart knowledge to students.
Patterns
- impart something to someone
- impart wisdom
The retired pilot imparted his experience to the new trainees.
She imparted the news gently.
Good teachers impart not only facts but a love of learning.
verbtransitiveformal
To give a particular quality, such as flavor or color, to something.
Grammar: Takes an object and often to: impart a flavor to food.
Patterns
- impart something to something
Smoking the fish imparts a rich flavor.
The rug imparted a warm look to the room.
Oak barrels impart a hint of vanilla to the whiskey.
Word forms
| third person singular | imparts |
|---|---|
| past tense | imparted |
| past participle | imparted |
| -ing form | imparting |
Common combinations
- impart knowledge
- The workshop aims to impart practical knowledge.
- impart wisdom
- Grandparents often impart wisdom through stories.
- impart a sense of
- The tall ceiling imparts a sense of calm.
- impart news
- The doctor had to impart some difficult news.
- impart flavor
- Herbs impart flavor without adding salt.
Synonyms and how they differ
- convey
- Convey is broader and neutral, while impart suggests giving something valuable to a receiver.
- teach
- Teach is the everyday word for instructing, whereas impart is more formal.
- bestow
- Bestow means to give as an honor, which is grander than impart.
Opposites
Word family
- imparter noun
- One who imparts; rare.
- impartation noun
- The act of imparting; rare and formal.
- part noun
- The root idea: giving a share of something.
Commonly confused: impart or impact? impart or impartial?
impart vs impact
Impact is a strong effect or a collision. Impart means to give or pass on.
impart vs impartial
Impartial means fair and not taking sides, which is unrelated in meaning to impart.
Practice
The old craftsman wanted to ___ his skills to the next generation.
Choose one answer.
Impart means to pass on knowledge or skill. Import, impact and impede have different meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “impart”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.