infuse

/ɪnˈfjuːz/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪnfjˈuz] /ɪnˈfjuːz/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɪnfjˈuz] /in-ˈfyüz/ (ame, mw)

infuse — verb

  • infusepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • infuseshe / she / it
  • infusedpast simple
  • infusing-ing form

1. to give a particular quality, feeling, or characteristic to someone or something

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to give a particular quality, feeling, or characteristic to someone or something, filling them with it — for example, when a leader's confidence infuses the whole team with a sense of purpose.

例句

Ziad's speech infused the team with a new sense of determination before the final match.

infuse + object + with + abstract noun

The old train station was infused with modern tech while keeping its original brick walls.

passive: be infused with + noun

同義詞
  • imbue

    more formal; suggests a deeper, lasting effect (e.g. 'imbued with a sense of duty')

  • permeate

    suggests spreading gradually through every part of something (e.g. 'anxiety permeated the room')

  • fill

    more direct and common; less literary than infuse (e.g. 'filled with pride')

反義詞
  • drain

    to remove energy or quality from someone or something

  • empty

    to remove all content or meaning from something

文法句型

infuse + object + with + noun

be infused with + noun

用法筆記

Often in the passive voice (be infused with). The object of with is usually an abstract quality — confidence, energy, hope, humour — rather than a physical item.

常見錯誤

❌Her kindness infused me confidence.
✅Her kindness infused me with confidence.
💡The verb must take 'with' when specifying what fills the person.
❌The speech infused determination to the team.
✅The speech infused the team with determination.
💡The person or thing that receives the quality is the direct object, not the object of a preposition.

2. to put plants, leaves, or dried ingredients into hot water or another liquid so

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to put plants, leaves, or dried ingredients into hot water or another liquid so that the liquid takes on their taste, colour, or healthy compounds.

例句

Let the green tea infuse for about three minutes before pouring it into cups.

intransitive: infuse + for + time period

Tamás infused the olive oil with garlic and rosemary for the pasta sauce.

transitive: infuse + object + with + ingredient

同義詞
  • steep

    more common in everyday tea-making; infuse is slightly more formal or technical

  • brew

    used for coffee and tea; suggests the whole process of making the drink, not just the steeping stage

文法句型

infuse + object + in + liquid

infuse + object + into + liquid

infuse (no object)

用法筆記

As an intransitive verb ('let the tea infuse'), the subject is the substance being steeped. As a transitive verb, you infuse one liquid or ingredient with another. The process typically involves heat and time — a quick dip is not infusing.

常見錯誤

❌I infused the tea bag for ten seconds.
✅I let the tea bag steep / infuse for three minutes.
💡Infusing requires enough time for the flavour to transfer; a few seconds is not enough.

3. to deliver liquid medicine or nutrients into a person's bloodstream through a ne

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to deliver liquid medicine or nutrients into a person's bloodstream through a needle inserted into a vein, usually over an extended period.

例句

The nurse infused the saline solution into the patient's arm over four hours.

infuse + object + into + body part + time period

After Elena's surgery, she was given antibiotics infused through a drip for two days.

passive: be infused through [device]

同義詞
  • administer intravenously

    more clinical and precise; infuse is a subtype of this broader term

  • drip

    used as both a noun and verb in informal hospital talk (e.g. 'they're dripping fluids into him')

文法句型

infuse + object + into + body/vein

infuse + object + through + tube/port

用法筆記

Technical medical term. In everyday conversation, people more commonly say 'put on a drip', 'get an IV', or 'receive fluids intravenously.' This sense is rarely used intransitively or outside hospital settings.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor infused the patient.
✅The doctor infused the solution into the patient's vein.
💡The object of infuse is the liquid or medication, not the person.