# filtered

/ˈfɪɫtɝd/ (US) · /fˈɪltəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/filtered
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. purified or strained

adjective · CEFR B2

passed through a filter to remove dirt, solid pieces, or impurities.

For teachers: having been passed through a porous substance or device to remove suspended particles or impurities.

- The office provides filtered water so employees don't have to buy plastic bottles.
- The laboratory requires filtered air to prevent microscopic dust particles from contaminating the sensitive chemical samples during the experiment.

### 2. softened light

adjective · CEFR B2

light that is less bright because it has passed through something like a curtain or leaves.

For teachers: describing light that has been reduced in intensity or changed in quality by passing through a medium.

- The filtered sunlight coming through the trees made the forest look peaceful.
- The photographer preferred the soft, filtered light of the late afternoon, which eliminated the harsh shadows typical of midday sun.

## Examples

- The office provides filtered water for all employees.
- The sunlight was filtered through the thick leaves of the forest, creating a soft green glow on the ground.
- In the era of social media, we often see a filtered version of people's lives that hides the mundane or difficult moments in favor of a perfect image.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.