penetrable

[pen-i-truh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being penetrated.

Other Word Forms

• penetrability noun
• penetrableness noun
• penetrably adverb
• nonpenetrability noun
• nonpenetrable adjective
• nonpenetrably adverb
• self-penetrability noun
• transpenetrable adjective
• unpenetrable adjective
• unpenetrably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of penetrable¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin penetrābilis, equivalent to penetrā ( re ) to penetrate + -bilis -ble

Example Sentences

As last weekend’s tightrope walk shows, the site remains penetrable.

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"Since the bacteria are living organisms, over time they developed a resistance, in the form of a less penetrable membrane, to traditional disinfectants," Sánchez explained.

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"The inviolability of the royal harem, penetrable only by the emperor - housing glorious and untouchable women… was meant to be proof of his near divinity," Lal writes.

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And then there are steel ceilings, ones that are not penetrable, no matter what skills, education or work ethic a person brings.

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It also sends a message that Iran’s most sensitive nuclear site is “penetrable,” he added.

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