permeable
adj.adj. allowing liquid, gas, or light to pass through it. You use this to describe things like paper, soil, or even a person's mind that can be influenced.
adj. allowing a liquid, gas, or other substance to pass through or into it. Often used figuratively to describe a mind or society that is open to new ideas or influences.
The soil is too dry to be permeable to water.
The architect chose a permeable membrane for the roof to allow rainwater to drain naturally into the garden below.
In a permeable society, the boundaries between different social classes are less rigid, allowing for greater social mobility and the exchange of diverse cultural practices.
From Middle English permeable, permiable, from Latin permeābilis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 28, 2026