Penetrate: meaning, definitions and examples

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penetrate

 

[ ˈpɛnɪˌtreɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

infiltrate

To enter or pass into something. To infiltrate or permeate something. To understand or discover something by thorough examination or analysis.

Synonyms

enter, infiltrate, permeate, pierce

Examples of usage

  • The spy managed to penetrate the enemy's defenses.
  • The smell of freshly baked bread penetrated the room.
  • It took me a while to penetrate the meaning of the poem.

Translations

Translations of the word "penetrate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 penetrar

🇮🇳 प्रवेश करना

🇩🇪 durchdringen

🇮🇩 menembus

🇺🇦 проникати

🇵🇱 przenikać

🇯🇵 貫通する (kantsū suru)

🇫🇷 pénétrer

🇪🇸 penetrar

🇹🇷 nüfuz etmek

🇰🇷 관통하다 (gwantonghada)

🇸🇦 اخترق (ikhtaraq)

🇨🇿 proniknout

🇸🇰 preniknúť

🇨🇳 穿透 (chuāntòu)

🇸🇮 prodreti

🇮🇸 smjúga inn

🇰🇿 ену

🇬🇪 შესვლა (shesvla)

🇦🇿 nüfuz etmək

🇲🇽 penetrar

Etymology

The word 'penetrate' comes from the Latin word 'penetrare', meaning 'to put or set within, to enter'. It has been used in English since the 16th century, originally with the sense of 'to thrust into, pierce'. Over time, its meaning has expanded to include the idea of entering or passing through something, whether physically or metaphorically.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,352 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.