permeable

American  

[pur-mee-uh-buhl] / ˈpɜr mi ə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being permeated.

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permeable British  

/ ˈpɜːmɪəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being permeated, esp by liquids

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permeable Scientific  

/ pûr′mē-ə-bəl /

1. Capable of being passed through or permeated, especially by liquids or gases.

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Usage

What does permeable mean? Permeable means able to be penetrated or passed through, especially by a liquid or gas.The verb permeate means to penetrate, pass through, and often become widespread throughout something. Similar words are pervade and saturate.Permeate can be used both in the context of the physical spread of something within a space and in more figurative ways. Water permeates the soil. Dye permeates fabric. An idea can permeate someone’s mind. In these cases, the fabric and the mind could be described as permeable.The adjective permeating describes things that have permeated or have the ability to permeate, as in Social media has become a permeating aspect of our lives.Example: Permeable surfaces should be sealed to prevent leaks.

Other Word Forms

• nonpermeable adjective
• permeableness noun
• permeably adverb
• unpermeable adjective

Etymology

Origin of permeable

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin permeābilis, equivalent to permeā ( re ) to permeate + -bilis -ble

Compare meaning

How does permeable compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• permeable vs. impermeable