impart
im-PAHRT
/ɪmˈpɑːrt/
To make information, knowledge, or a specific quality known; to bestow or share.
Implies a deliberate, generous transfer of something intangible (like wisdom, flavor, or grace) from a source to a recipient.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'impartire', which combines 'in-' (into) and 'partire' (to divide or share). Literally, to impart is to give someone a 'part' of what you possess, whether that is your knowledge, your wisdom, or your energy.
Word relationships
- bestow: Bestow often implies giving a physical gift, honor, or title, while impart is used for sharing intangible qualities or knowledge.
- communicate: Communicate is the general act of sharing information, whereas impart suggests a deeper, more valuable transfer of wisdom or characteristics.
- withhold: Withhold means to keep information or qualities to oneself, whereas impart means to share them.
Commonly confused with
- provide: Provide means to supply something necessary, while impart specifically means to share or transfer a quality or piece of knowledge.
Word family
- impartation (noun): The act of imparting or communicating something.
- impartible (adjective): Capable of being imparted.
Collocations
- impart knowledge
- impart wisdom
- impart a flavor
- impart information
Example sentences
- "She did not just lecture; she sought to impart a genuine passion for historical research to her students." A tribute to a beloved professor.
- "The oak barrels impart a subtle, smoky flavor to the aging wine." A culinary description of a cooking technique.
Memory hook
To impart is to give a 'part' of your own mind or knowledge to someone else. Impart: Give a part of your wisdom.
When not to use
Do not use for physical objects (e.g., do not say 'I imparted a book to him'). Use 'give' or 'hand' instead.
Fun facts
- In physics, a force can 'impart' momentum to an object, showing how the word transitioned from abstract knowledge to physical properties.
Related words
Explore more words
disseminate, infuse, bestow, Communicate, bequeath, Transmit
Also appears in
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