imbue, boast, assert, digress, enrich: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 61. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. imbue · verb/ɪmˈbju/

   to permeate or saturate with a quality or feeling

   The artist sought to imbue her paintings with a sense of nostalgia, evoking memories of a bygone era.

   Synonyms: instill, permeate, infuse

   Origin: From Latin 'imbuere' meaning 'to wet, soak, or imbue'.

2. boast · verb/boʊst/

   to talk with pride about one's achievements or possessions

   She likes to boast about her promotion at work, always sharing the details of her new responsibilities.

   Synonyms: brag, gloat, vaunt

   Origin: Middle English, from Old Norse 'bauta' meaning to boast or to talk loudly.

3. assert · verb/əˈsɜrt/

   to state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully

   She decided to assert her right to speak during the meeting without interruptions.

   Synonyms: declare, affirm, maintain

   Origin: from Latin 'assertus', the past participle of 'asserere', which means 'to affirm' or 'to claim'.

4. digress · verb/daɪˈɡrɛs/

   to deviate from the main topic in speech or writing

   During his lecture, the professor began to digress into personal anecdotes that were unrelated to the subject matter.

   Synonyms: deviate, wander, stray

   Origin: from Latin 'digressus', past participle of 'digredi', meaning 'to step aside'.

5. enrich · verb/ɪnˈrɪtʃ/

   to improve the quality or value of something

   The new curriculum aims to enrich students' learning experiences by incorporating hands-on projects.

   Synonyms: enhance, improve, elevate

   Origin: Middle English 'enriche', from 'en-' + 'rich' meaning 'to make rich'