Word
permeate
Phoneticsper·me·ate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɝmiˌeɪt/
UK/pˈɜːmɪˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to spread through every part of something, like water through cloth. You use this when a smell, feeling, or idea fills a whole place.
v. to spread or diffuse through every part of a material, space, or system. Often describes liquids, gases, light, or abstract influences such as ideas and moods.
Examples
“Fresh bread smell permeates the whole kitchen.”
“After the rain, the scent of wet soil permeates the garden and drifts through the open windows.”
“By the late 1960s, a quiet scepticism about authority had begun to permeate university campuses, shaping debates far beyond politics.”
Examples
simple
“Fresh bread smell permeates the whole kitchen.”
contextual
“After the rain, the scent of wet soil permeates the garden and drifts through the open windows.”
complex
“By the late 1960s, a quiet scepticism about authority had begun to permeate university campuses, shaping debates far beyond politics.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “permeate” in context.
Verb
01. allow permeate
“A cracked window allowed cold air to permeate the room.”
verb + verb
02. fear permeate
“Fear permeated the city after the attacks.”
noun + verb
03. let permeate
“Managers should not let pessimism permeate the team.”
verb + verb
04. permeate atmosphere
“Tension permeated the atmosphere before the announcement.”
verb + noun
05. permeate culture
“Consumerism has come to permeate modern culture.”
verb + noun
06. permeate life
“Music permeates every part of her daily life.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. deeply permeate
“Resentment had deeply permeated the workplace long before the strike.”
adv + verb
08. fully permeate
“It took years for the reforms to fully permeate the system.”
adv + verb
Noun
09. permeate into consciousness
“The slogan gradually permeated into public consciousness.”
verb + prep + noun
10. allow fear to permeate
“We must not allow fear to permeate our decisions.”
11. permeate every aspect of life
“Stress can permeate every aspect of life if left unchecked.”
12. permeate public consciousness
“The debate over climate change has permeated public consciousness.”
Usage
Transitive in most uses; often followed by 'through' or 'into' when the path is specified.
Real-World Examples
“A negative culture pervades and permeates across staff, pupil and parent groups.” 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).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/permeate