instil
gb/ɪnstɪl/ us/ɪnstɪl/
C1
English
beleplántál, belenevel, becseppent
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
beleplántál
C1
belenevel
B2
Usage pattern:
instil [something] in/into [someone]
The coach tried to instil confidence in the team after a string of losses.
Az edző megpróbált önbizalmat önteni a csapatba a sorozatos vereségek után.
Her parents instilled a strong work ethic into her from an early age.
A szülei már kiskorától erős munkamorált neveltek belé.
The training aims to instil a culture of safety across the company.
Learner examples
Good teachers instil a love of reading in children.
A jó tanárok belenevelik a gyerekekbe az olvasás szeretetét.
The leader tried to instil hope into the group.
A vezető megpróbált reményt önteni a csoportba.
Common mistake:
Often confused with install (put equipment/software in place). Also commonly misspelled as instill (a standard US spelling) or used without in/into.
Meaning
gradually put ideas into minds
Collocations
instil confidence
|instil fear
|instil discipline
|instil pride
|instil respect
|instil good habits
|instil values
|instil a sense of responsibility
|instil trust
|instil hope
Synonyms
inculcate (Closer in meaning but more academic/formal.)
|
implant (Suggests placing an idea firmly in the mind.)
|
foster (Emphasizes encouraging something to develop rather than putting it in directly.)
Antonyms
eradicate (Means to remove an existing belief, habit, or feeling.)
|
undermine (Means to weaken confidence or belief rather than build it.)
Themes
education
|psychology
|emotions
|work
Definition
To teach or put a feeling or idea into someone slowly, over time.
To gradually cause someone to accept an idea, attitude, value, or feeling so that it becomes part of the way they think or behave.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
becseppent
B2
Usage pattern:
instil [drops/liquid] into [eye/ear/nose/wound]
The nurse instilled two drops into each eye.
Az ápoló mindkét szemébe két-két cseppet cseppentett.
Instil the solution slowly to avoid irritation.
Az irritáció elkerülése érdekében lassan cseppentse be az oldatot.
A local anesthetic was instilled into the wound before the procedure.
Learner examples
I need to instil these drops into my eye.
Ezeket a cseppeket a szemembe kell cseppentenem.
She instilled two drops into his ear.
Két cseppet cseppentett a fülébe.
Common mistake:
Learners may use install by mistake; instil is about drops or about ideas/values.
Meaning
put drops of liquid in
Collocations
instil eye drops
|instil drops into the eye
|instil medication
|instil saline
|instil solution
|instil anesthesia
|instil drops into the ear
|instil a disinfectant
|instil antibiotic drops
|instil a few drops
Synonyms
drip (More general and less formal.)
|
administer (More general medical verb; not limited to drop-by-drop.)
Antonyms
drain (Means to remove liquid rather than put it in.)
|
extract (Means to take something out rather than introduce it.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
Definition
To put medicine in as drops, especially into the eye or ear.
To put a liquid into something drop by drop, especially medicine into someone’s eye, ear, or nose.
Grammar
Dictionary form
instil
IPA
GB/ɪnstɪl/
US/ɪnstɪl/
Syllables & stress
in - stil (2 syllables)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: instil
- 3rd Person Singular: instills, instils
- Present Participle: instilling
- Past: instilled
- Past Participle: instilled
Word family
Forms
instills
verb
instils
verb
instilling
verb
instilled
verb
Related words
instill
verb C1
Advanced or less common
instillation
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.