Finesentence

Inculcate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

📚
Save

inculcate

in-cul-cate

🇺🇸 /ˈɪŋkəɫˌkeɪt/ · 🇬🇧 /ˈɪnkəlkˌeɪt/

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

teaching principle

To inculcate means to instill an idea, belief, or habit in someone through persistent instruction. This process often involves teaching through repetition and reinforcement in order to ensure that the values or ideas being imparted are firmly established in the learner's mind. Inculcation is commonly used in educational contexts, particularly in moral, ethical, or cultural teachings.

Synonyms

implant, indoctrinate, infuse, instill, teach.

Examples of usage

  • Teachers should inculcate critical thinking skills in their students.
  • The organization aims to inculcate a sense of responsibility in the community.
  • Parents play a crucial role in inculcating values in their children.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “inculcate”

Inculcate is a 3-syllable verb (in-cul-cate). It is pronounced /ˈɪŋkəɫˌkeɪt/ in American English and /ˈɪnkəlkˌeɪt/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 5 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #19,924 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'inculcate'

The word 'inculcate' originates from the Latin word 'inculcare', which means 'to tread on' or 'to press upon'. The term was formed from the combination of the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'on' or 'upon') and 'calcare' (meaning 'to tread'). In its early use in the English language, dating back to the late 16th century, it was primarily associated with the idea of pressing ideas or values upon someone effectively through teaching or influence. Over time, 'inculcate' evolved to encompass a wider array of meanings related to the impartation of knowledge, skills, and beliefs, particularly those pertaining to morality and ethics.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,924, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.