How to pronounce permeate
Say it like PUR-mee-ayt. Permeate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce permeate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUR
- mee
- ayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Permeate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- meeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- aytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of permeate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PUR-mee-ayt.
What does permeate mean?
- To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate and pass through without causing rupture or displacement; applied especially to fluids which pass through substances of loose texture“water permeates sand”
- To enter and spread through; to pervade.“Bright sunshine permeates the room on a sunny day.”
- A watery by-product of milk production.
- Liquid that has passed through a filtration system.
Where does permeate come from?
First attested in 1656; borrowed from Latin permeātus, perfect passive participle of permeō (“to pass through”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (noun-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying permeate
How do you pronounce permeate?
Say PUR-mee-ayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɝmiˌeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈpɜːmiˌeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in permeate?
Permeate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR). Broken into parts: PUR · mee · ayt.
Is permeate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈpɜːmiˌeɪt/ (PUR-mee-ayt).