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

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

And their skin can become more permeable when in a wet diaper.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Over time, the gut barrier may become more permeable, a condition often referred to as "leaky gut."

From Science Daily • Feb. 2, 2026

The idea that our constitutional order could work without having somewhat permeable lines between those, I think, isn’t realistic, especially in a modern world.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025

What’s under examination is the strange permeable barrier between life and death, and the way it appears to those who are left behind to deal with the fallout.

From New York Times • May 30, 2024

He was lonely still, but it was only a mist, a weather front that passed through him when he was alone, a feeling of having turned too permeable.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen