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
1
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 notesIn 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
Common pairings
pervade the atmosphere
pervade society
pervade every aspect
a sense of unease pervaded
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A smell of woodsmoke _____ the whole cottage.
Etymology
From Latin pervadere, from per- 'through' and vadere 'to go'.
Related words
Rhymes for pervade
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.
What is the meaning of pervade?
"pervade" (verb) means to spread through every part of something, so that its presence is felt everywhere.
What is another word for pervade?
Other words for "pervade" include permeate, suffuse, saturate, imbue, infuse, penetrate.
