permeate
gb/pˈɚmiˌeɪt/ us/pˈɚmiˌeɪt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
C1
process
1
spread through and fill completely
If something permeates a place, it spreads everywhere in it.
Usage pattern:
[something] permeates [place/substance/thing]
Common mistake:
Learners often use it for people directly (*He permeated the room*). More natural: He entered the room; his presence/voice/perfume permeated the room.
Synonyms
pervade (Often used for an atmosphere, feeling, or quality present everywhere.)
|
fill (More general; does not emphasize spreading through every part.)
|
saturate (Stronger; suggests being completely filled, often with a liquid or color.)
Antonyms
stay confined (Opposite idea: not spreading beyond a limited area.)
|
dissipate (To fade or disperse rather than remain throughout.)
Collocations
the smell permeates the air
|a scent permeates the room
|smoke permeates the building
|a feeling permeates the novel
|an atmosphere permeates the workplace
|light permeates the forest
|a damp smell permeates the house
|a sense of unease permeates the scene
|the sound permeates the hall
|the aroma permeates the kitchen
Themes
daily_life
|nature
|sensory
Examples
- The smell of fresh bread permeated the entire apartment.
- A low hum from the generator permeated the building all night.
- A sense of anticipation permeates the opening chapters.
Learner examples
- The smell of coffee permeated the room.
- Warm light permeated the kitchen.
Verb
technical
C1
process
2
pass into material through pores
If a liquid or gas permeates something, it gets into it everywhere, through small spaces.
Usage pattern:
[liquid/gas] permeates [material]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with 'evaporate' (turn into vapor) or 'leak' (escape through a hole).
Synonyms
penetrate (More general; can be sudden and does not always imply spreading throughout.)
|
seep into (Emphasizes slow movement of liquid into something.)
Antonyms
repel (To resist absorption or entry (e.g., water-repellent fabric).)
|
block (To prevent passage through.)
Collocations
water permeates the soil
|moisture permeates the walls
|salt permeates the wood
|oil permeates the fabric
|chemicals permeate the groundwater
|gas permeates the membrane
|heat permeates the material
|humidity permeates the insulation
|radiation permeates the shielding
|the solution permeates the filter
Themes
science
|materials
|nature
Examples
- After days of rain, water had permeated the ground and flooded the basement.
- The strong odor came from chemicals that had permeated the carpet padding.
- Oxygen can permeate some plastics over time.
Learner examples
- Water permeated the soil.
- Smoke permeated the fabric.
Verb
formal
C1
process
3
influence every part of something
If an idea permeates a group, it affects everything there.
Usage pattern:
[idea/value] permeates [society/organization/work]
Common mistake:
Often used with abstract nouns (values, assumptions, culture). For one-time effects, 'affect' is usually better than 'permeate.'
Synonyms
pervade (Very close; common for ideas, attitudes, or feelings spread everywhere.)
|
inform (Emphasizes shaping how something is done or understood.)
|
imbue (Often used in passive ('be imbued with'); suggests being filled with a quality.)
Antonyms
leave untouched (To have no effect on something.)
|
isolate (To keep separate so influence does not spread.)
Collocations
permeate society
|permeate the culture
|permeate the organization
|permeate the education system
|permeate public discourse
|permeate everyday life
|permeate policy decisions
|permeate the curriculum
|permeate the workplace
|permeate the media
Themes
society
|culture
|business
|education
Examples
- A commitment to safety permeates the company’s training and procedures.
- Old assumptions about success still permeate the industry.
- Distrust of government permeates much of the debate.
Learner examples
- Respect permeates their team culture.
- The idea permeates the whole book.
Grammar
Dictionary form
permeate
IPA
GB/pˈɚmiˌeɪt/
US/pˈɚmiˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
per - meate (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: permeate
- 3rd Person Singular: permeates
- Present Participle: permeating
- Past: permeated
Word family
Forms
permeates
verb
permeating
verb
permeated
verb
Core family
permeable
adjective
Related words
permeation
noun
Negative and opposite forms
impermeable
adjective
Advanced or less common
permeability
noun
impermeability
noun
Expressions
be permeated with/by
1/bˈi pˈɚmiˌeɪtɪd wˈɪθbi/
fixed phrase
be filled throughout with something
To have something spread everywhere inside it.
Examples
- The hallway was permeated with the smell of paint.
- Her speech was permeated by a quiet optimism.
- The old books were permeated with damp.
permeate into
1/pˈɚmiˌeɪt ˈɪntu/
fixed phrase
formal
spread gradually into something
To slowly enter and spread through something.
Examples
- New management practices slowly permeated into the rest of the organization.
- Slang from the internet has permeated into everyday speech.
- Doubt began to permeate into the discussion as new facts emerged.
permeate through
1/pˈɚmiˌeɪt θɹˈu/
fixed phrase
technical
pass through a material
To go through something by spreading through it.
Examples
- Water vapor can permeate through certain types of packaging.
- The chemical permeated through the gloves after prolonged contact.
- Over time, air may permeate through the seal.