porous

[ pawr-uhs, pohr- ]

adjective

1. full of pores.
2. permeable by water, air, etc.

   Synonyms: sievelike, riddled, pervious, penetrable

porous

/ ˈpɔːrəs /

adjective

1. permeable to water, air, or other fluids
2. biology geology having pores; poriferous
3. easy to cross or penetrate

   the most porous defence in the league

   the porous border into Thailand

porous

/ pôr′əs /

1. Having many pores or other small spaces that can hold a gas or liquid or allow it to pass through.

Derived Forms

• ˈporousness, noun
• ˈporously, adverb

Other Words From

• porous·ly adverb
• porous·ness noun
• non·porous adjective
• non·porous·ness noun
• un·porous adjective
• un·porous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of porous¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, variant of porose, from Medieval Latin porōsus; pore ², -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of porous¹

C14: from Medieval Latin porōsus, from Late Latin porus pore ²

Example Sentences

While the defence looked in good nick against New Zealand, it was markedly porous against the Wallabies.

From BBC

President Boko said it was a challenge when thousands of Zimbabweans entered Botswana through the long and porous border between the two countries.

From BBC

Its porous design increases its surface area, which means more places to hold onto CO2 molecules.

From Los Angeles Times

They have a favorable matchup against a porous Arizona defense that has a versatile play-maker in safety Budda Baker, but ranks 29th in yards rushing allowed per game.

From Los Angeles Times

His involvement snowballed and Mr Diriye soon found himself navigating from the porous frontier with Ethiopia through Somalia’s rural hinterlands.

From BBC