porous
Porous (adj) means having many tiny holes that let liquid or gas pass through. Example: “Porous rock absorbs rainwater like a sponge.”
How to use porous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFull of tiny holes that let things pass through — literally (like rock or fabric) or figuratively (like a weak border or defense).
Word forms
more porous comparative, most porous superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ rock absorbs rainwater like a sponge.
Etymology
From Old French poros, ultimately from Latin porus ("an opening"), the same root as "pore".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for porous
See all rhymes for porous →Frequently asked questions
What does “porous” mean?
The word “porous” means having many tiny holes that let liquid or gas pass through. In plain terms, full of tiny holes that let things pass through — literally (like rock or fabric) or figuratively (like a weak border or defense).
How do you pronounce “porous”?
“Porous” is pronounced PAW-ruhs (/ˈpɔɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “porous” in a sentence?
Here is “porous” used in a sentence: “Porous rock absorbs rainwater like a sponge.”
What part of speech is “porous”?
“Porous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “porous” come from?
The word “porous” comes from Latin. From Old French poros, ultimately from Latin porus ("an opening"), the same root as "pore".
Is “porous” a common word?
“Porous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “porous” have?
“Porous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having many tiny holes that let liquid or gas pass through.