percolate
/ˈpɜː.kə.leɪt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To filter slowly through a small space or through a material. Water can percolate through soil or coffee through grounds.
- Rainwater percolated through the soil.
- Hot water percolates through coffee grounds.
- 2.
To spread slowly through a group, place, or system. Information, ideas, or feelings can percolate over time.
- News of the job offer percolated through the office.
- New ideas percolated through the team slowly.
Adinary Nuance
Percolate is slower and more gradual than words like "pass," "spread," or "filter." It often suggests movement over time, not a quick change. For ideas or news, it sounds more careful and formal than "spread around."
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thẩm thấu
- Spanish
- filtrarse
- Chinese
- 渗透
- Japanese
- 浸透する
- Korean
- 스며들다
Etymology
Percolate came into English in the 17th century from Latin percolare, meaning "to strain through." The Latin root colare is also linked to "filter" and "strain."
Common phrases
percolate throughpercolate upideas percolatenews percolated
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is percolate more formal than spread?
- Yes, it is often a little more formal and slower in tone than "spread."
- Can I use percolate for coffee?
- Yes. It often describes hot water moving through coffee grounds.
- What is the difference between percolate and seep?
- Both mean to move slowly, but "seep" usually suggests liquid moving through tiny openings.
- Can ideas percolate?
- Yes. It means ideas are slowly becoming known or understood.