WordGarden.ioinculcate
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɪnkəlkˌeɪt/
US
- /ˈɪŋkəlˌkeɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to teach or impress an idea, value, or habit through repeated instruction
Beyond the definition
To inculcate something means to teach it again and again over time until it becomes a steady part of someone's habits or way of thinking. Think of a parent trying to teach good manners to a child: they do not just say it once, but keep showing, reminding, and reinforcing the behavior. It is more than simply giving information; it is about helping an idea or value sink in deeply. A school might try to inculcate honesty and respect in its students. The word is most often used for values, attitudes, beliefs, or habits rather than for practical skills.
Imagine a gardener carefully tending to a young sapling, giving it water and sunlight until it grows strong and steady. That is similar to what it means to inculcate. It refers to the process of teaching an idea, belief, value, or habit so thoroughly that it becomes fixed in someone's mind and starts to guide behavior.
The word comes from the Latin "inculcare," meaning "to press into," which suggests a deliberate effort to impress something on someone's mind. It is not just about passing along information; it is about helping an idea take root. For example, a strict religious upbringing might aim to inculcate faith in a child. A military academy might try to inculcate discipline and courage in its cadets.
You usually would not use "inculcate" for ordinary, one-time learning. You would not normally say you inculcated your friend with the knowledge of how to bake cookies. Instead, the word is mostly used for moral principles, social values, beliefs, attitudes, or habits. It often suggests a long process and a strong influence on a person's character or conduct.
So, when something is inculcated, it is not merely learned; it becomes part of a person's way of thinking, shaping thoughts, actions, and outlook.
Examples
- 1
Classroom values
Good teachers try to inculcate curiosity in their students.
- Patterninculcate + idea/habit in + person/group
teach it so firmly that it becomes part of them
- 2
Parenting
From an early age, his parents worked to inculcate good manners in him.
- 3
Military training
Military training is designed to inculcate discipline and obedience.
- 4
Workplace training
The company’s orientation program aims to inculcate respect for safety procedures in every new employee.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
State propaganda
The regime used schools and media to inculcate loyalty to the state.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
- inculpate
Used with (collocations)
- inculcate values
- inculcate a sense of duty
- inculcate good habits
Word family
Explore
- socialization
- moral education
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- inculcateverb
Forms
- inculcatedpast tenseverb
- inculcating-ing formverb
- inculcatesverb