permeate

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈpɝmiˌeɪ̯t/ UK /ˈpɜːmiˌeɪt/ See IPA manual

Freq #73614

Meanings

1

verb
To spread through every part of something.

The smell of fresh bread permeated the whole house.
2

verb
To spread through and affect a group, place, or feeling.

A sense of distrust permeated the entire meeting.
3

verb
To pass through a material that has small holes or spaces.

Water permeates sand very easily.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to spread through every... pervade

2 verb · to spread through and... diffuse

3 verb · to pass through a material... filter

Word family

Forms permeatedpermeatespermeating

Derived forms interpermeatenonpermeatednonpermeatingpermeasepermeativeunpermeated

Related forms impermeable permeable permeant permeationpermeator

Etymology

First attested in 1656; borrowed from Latin permeātus, perfect passive participle of permeō (“to pass through”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (noun-forming suffix).

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# permeate

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈpɝmiˌeɪ̯t/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈpɜːmiˌeɪt/
**Frequency rank:** 73614

## Meanings
1. To spread through every part of something.
2. To spread through and affect a group, place, or feeling.
3. To pass through a material that has small holes or spaces.

## Examples
- The smell of fresh bread permeated the whole house.
- A sense of distrust permeated the entire meeting.
- Water permeates sand very easily.

## Derived Forms
- interpermeate
- nonpermeated
- nonpermeating
- permease
- permeative
- unpermeated

## Related Forms
- impermeable
- permeable
- permeant
- permeation
- permeator

## Etymology
First attested in 1656; borrowed from Latin permeātus, perfect passive participle of permeō (“to pass through”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (noun-forming suffix).

## AI Etymology
Permeate is first attested in 1656; borrowed from Latin permeātus, perfect passive participle of permeō (“to pass through”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (noun-forming suffix). In present-day English it covers to spread through every part of something, to spread through and affect a group, place, or feeling, and to pass through a material that has small holes or spaces. The wider family includes derived forms such as interpermeate, nonpermeated, nonpermeating, permease, permeative and related forms such as impermeable, permeable, permeant, permeation.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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