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

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

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Etymology

Origin of permeable

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

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Compare meaning

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

• permeable vs. impermeable

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Explanation

Something that is permeable can be passed through, especially by liquids or gases. "I wish I hadn't worn my permeable sweater to the picnic when the weatherman called for thunderstorms. The rain seeped right through the fabric, soaking me to the skin." A permeable surface allows materials like liquids to pass through — either in or out. Inside the body, the walls of cells are permeable membranes that allow fluids and nutrients to get in and nourish the cells. A permeable shirt is good to wear in the summer, because it helps release the sweat sticking to the skin.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

permeable

The previously permeable borders of the U.S. tightened.

From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026

"Our findings show that hydrogen production depends not only on the amount of magnetite present, but also on how easily water can access fresh mineral surfaces through fractures, pores and permeable pathways."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 29, 2026

The models indicate that the amount of fractured, permeable rock created by an impact depended mainly on the energy of the collision, which was controlled by the asteroid's size and speed.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 2, 2026

Beyond the vegetable beds is a planting area of native shrubs and grasses to provide additional habitat and permeable surface to collect rainwater.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2025

The main obstacle for the diffusion process being developed by Urey was its reliance on uranium hexafluoride gas, the detestable “hex,” which lived up to its nickname by severely corroding every permeable barrier Urey tried.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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