Also spelled instil

US /ˌɪnˈstɪl/ UK /ɪnˈstɪl/
verb Freq #32785

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    To gradually teach someone an idea, feeling, or habit until it becomes part of them.

    Her parents instilled a love of reading in her.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to gradually teach someone... implantingraininfuse
Word family
Forms instilledinstillinginstills
Derived forms instillmentreinstilluninstilled

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin instillō.

View etymology graph ->

Topics

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.