infused

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   Soaked or steeped in a liquid so that flavor, scent, or healing properties are extracted.

   Grammar: Often used in the passive or as an adjective: 'The oil is infused with herbs.'

   Patterns

   • infuse something with something
   • be infused with something

   She served us a refreshing glass of water infused with cucumber and mint.

   The tea is infused with jasmine flowers for a delicate aroma.

   The room was infused with the scent of lavender from the diffuser.

2. 2verbtransitivefigurative

   Filled or permeated with a quality, feeling, or idea.

   Grammar: Usually passive or adjectival: 'a speech infused with hope'.

   Patterns

   • be infused with something

   His paintings are infused with a sense of melancholy.

   The team's performance was infused with new energy after the coach's talk.

   The novel is infused with the author's love for the sea.

Word forms

Common combinations

infused with

The drink is infused with fresh ginger.

herb-infused

They sell herb-infused olive oil.

infuse into

The teacher tried to infuse enthusiasm into the students.

infused water

Infused water is a healthy alternative to soda.

Synonyms and how they differ

steeped

Specifically used for tea or herbs soaked in hot water; 'infused' is broader and can refer to cold liquids too.

permeated

Emphasizes spreading throughout; often used for smells or feelings, while 'infused' suggests adding a quality.

imbued

More formal and literary; typically used for abstract qualities like values or traditions.

Word family

infusion noun

The act of infusing or a drink made by infusing.

infuser noun

A device used to infuse tea or herbs.

infusible adjective

Capable of being infused (rare).

Commonly confused: infused or confused? infused or diffused?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “infused”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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