infiltrate
Infiltrate (verb) means to secretly gain entry into an organization or place, often to spy or cause harm. Example: “The agent managed to infiltrate the smuggling ring within weeks.”
How to use infiltrate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo sneak into a place or group without being noticed, or to seep gradually into something.
Word forms
infiltrated past tense, infiltrates plural, infiltrates singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The agent managed to _____ the smuggling ring within weeks.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin infiltratus, ultimately from in- ("into") plus filtrare ("to filter").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for infiltrate
See all rhymes for infiltrate →Frequently asked questions
What does “infiltrate” mean?
The word “infiltrate” means to secretly gain entry into an organization or place, often to spy or cause harm. In plain terms, to sneak into a place or group without being noticed, or to seep gradually into something.
How do you pronounce “infiltrate”?
“Infiltrate” is pronounced IHN-fihlt-rayt (/ˈɪnfəltɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “infiltrate” in a sentence?
Here is “infiltrate” used in a sentence: “The agent managed to infiltrate the smuggling ring within weeks.”
What part of speech is “infiltrate”?
“Infiltrate” is a verb.
Where does the word “infiltrate” come from?
The word “infiltrate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin infiltratus, ultimately from in- ("into") plus filtrare ("to filter").
Is “infiltrate” a common word?
“Infiltrate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “infiltrate” have?
“Infiltrate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to secretly gain entry into an organization or place, often to spy or cause harm.