percolate

[pur-kuh-leyt, pur-kuh-lit, -leyt]

verb (used with object)

percolated, percolating 

1. to cause (a liquid) to pass through a porous body; filter.

2. (of a liquid) to filter through; permeate.

3. to brew (coffee) in a percolator.

verb (used without object)

percolated, percolating 

1. to pass through a porous substance; filter; ooze; seep; trickle.

2. to become percolated.

   The coffee is starting to percolate.

3. to become active, lively, or spirited.

4. to show activity, movement, or life; grow or spread gradually; germinate.

   Interest in the idea has begun to percolate.

noun

1. a percolated liquid.

percolate

/ ˈpɜːkələbəl /

verb

1. to cause (a liquid) to pass through a fine mesh, porous substance, etc, or (of a liquid) to pass through a fine mesh, porous substance, etc; trickle

   rain percolated through the roof

2. to permeate; penetrate gradually

   water percolated the road

3. informal,  (intr) to become active or lively

   she percolated with happiness

4. to make (coffee) or (of coffee) to be made in a percolator

noun

1. a product of percolation

Pronunciation Note

The pronunciation of percolate as , with an intrusive y -glide, results from analogy with words like circulate and matriculate, where the unstressed vowel following the k -sound is symbolized by a u spelling, making the y -glide mandatory. In similar words where is followed by some other vowel, the represents a hypercorrection. The pronunciation of escalate as is another such example. See coupon, new.

Other Word Forms

• percolable adjective
• percolative adjective
• unpercolated adjective
• percolation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of percolate¹

1620–30; < Latin percōlātus, past participle of percōlāre to filter. See per-, colander, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of percolate¹

C17: from Latin percolāre, from _per + cōlāre to strain, from cōlum a strainer; see _colander

Example Sentences

News of the possible sale had percolated since last year, as Starbucks’ business in China faltered.

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Even though, as she sings on the percolating title track, her autism means she's often "acting" in ways that she's learned people will expect.

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“Liberation” percolates with lively humor, as when Lizzie introduces herself as a journalist who writes “obituaries and weddings—which in a way are the same thing.”

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Concerns about a slowing job market, the financial health of lower-income households and potential asset bubbles are percolating.

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For some, it’s a last hurrah, the culmination of ideas that had been percolating for years.

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Related Words

• bubble 
• filter 
• ooze 
• permeate 
• pervade