pervade
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pervade
1645–55; < Latin pervādere to pass through, equivalent to per- per- + vādere to go, walk
Explanation
To pervade means to be present throughout, to exist in every part of. If you have too many cats, the horrible smell of cat pee will pervade your house. You can use pervade both for external things like smells and sickness, and for more internal things like feelings. For instance, you can say that a feeling of doom pervaded the army as they caught sight of the opposition’s superior forces. Despite efforts to prevent bullying, peer pressure and clique mentalities pervade the school environment.
Vocabulary lists containing pervade
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Grade 10, List 1
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The Giver
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Pervade, per-vād′, v.t. to go through or penetrate: to spread all over.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various
Ah, render sere no silken bent That by her head-stone waves; Let noon and golden summer blent Pervade these ocean graves.
From The Home Book of Verse — Volume 2 by Stevenson, Burton Egbert
Pervade my being with Thy vital force, That this else inexpressive life of mine May become eloquent and full of power, Impregnated with life and strength divine.
From Quiet Talks on Service by Gordon, S. D. (Samuel Dickey)
No; peacock-posing and complacent smile Pervade the common air, and take the town.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 102, April 23, 1892 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
