verb

pervade

puhr-VAYD

Pervade (verb) means to spread through every part of something, so that its presence is felt everywhere. Example: “A smell of woodsmoke pervaded the whole cottage.”

verb

To spread through every part of something, so that its presence is felt everywhere.

"A smell of woodsmoke pervaded the whole cottage."

"Suspicion pervaded the department after the leak."

How to Use Pervade

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo spread right through something so it is everywhere.

When to use it

Formal to neutral; common in literary and analytical writing.

Memory tip

The adjective 'pervasive' and noun 'pervasiveness' come from the same root.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

pervade → persuade → invade → permeate

Common pairings

pervade the atmosphere pervade society pervade every aspect a sense of unease pervaded

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

A smell of woodsmoke _____ the whole cottage.

Etymology

From Latin pervadere, from per- 'through' and vadere 'to go'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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permeate suffuse saturate imbue infuse

Related Words

penetrate brew soak riddle saturation infusion imbue infuse

Rhymes for pervade

Ade made jade wade fade sade Bade Cade Dade trade blade spade

See all rhymes for pervade →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between pervade and permeate?

They are close synonyms. Permeate leans towards physical passage through a material, as with liquid or gas; pervade is more often used of atmospheres, smells, moods and ideas spreading through a place or group.

Is pervade positive or negative?

It is neutral in itself, but in practice it is used slightly more often of unwelcome things such as fear, corruption or damp.

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