penetrate
PEH-niht-rayt
Penetrate (verb) means to make a way into or through something; to pierce or pass into the interior of something. Example: “The knife penetrated only a few millimeters into the wood.”
verb
1
To make a way into or through something; to pierce or pass into the interior of something.
"The knife penetrated only a few millimeters into the wood."
"Sunlight barely penetrated the thick jungle canopy."
"The needle easily penetrates the thin fabric, so be careful when you sew."
2
To come to understand something fully despite difficulty; to see through to the truth of it.
"It took years for historians to penetrate the mystery surrounding his death."
"Nobody could penetrate the meaning of the strange code he left behind."
"She finally penetrated the author's difficult argument after reading the chapter three times."
How to use penetrate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo physically pass into or through something, or to fully understand something difficult.
Common pairings
penetrate the market
penetrate enemy lines
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- penetrates
- Past tense
- penetrated
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Can you complete this real example?
The knife _____ only a few millimeters into the wood.
Etymology
From Latin penetrare ("to enter deeply into, pierce"), from penes ("within").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for penetrate
See all rhymes for penetrate →Frequently asked questions
What does “penetrate” mean?
The word “penetrate” means to make a way into or through something; to pierce or pass into the interior of something. In plain terms, to physically pass into or through something, or to fully understand something difficult.
How do you pronounce “penetrate”?
“Penetrate” is pronounced PEH-niht-rayt (/ˈpɛnɪtɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “penetrate” in a sentence?
Here is “penetrate” used in a sentence: “The knife penetrated only a few millimeters into the wood.”
What part of speech is “penetrate”?
“Penetrate” is a verb.
Where does the word “penetrate” come from?
The word “penetrate” comes from Latin. From Latin penetrare ("to enter deeply into, pierce"), from penes ("within").
Is “penetrate” a common word?
“Penetrate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “penetrate” have?
“Penetrate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a way into or through something; to pierce or pass into the interior of something.
What is the difference between penetrate and pierce?
Pierce specifically suggests puncturing or making a hole through something with a sharp point, while penetrate more broadly means making a way into or through something, which can include piercing but also softer forms of entry, like a smell penetrating a room.
How is "penetrate" used to mean "understand"?
Beyond its physical sense, penetrate can mean to come to understand something fully despite difficulty, as in "penetrate the mystery" or "penetrate someone's true motives." This figurative use implies seeing through complexity to reach the truth.
What prepositions commonly follow penetrate?
Penetrate is often followed by "into" or "through," as in "penetrate into enemy territory" or "light penetrated through the curtains," though it can also take a direct object with no preposition at all.
