permeable
Lets things through
Permeable describes materials that allow liquids or gases to pass through: a permeable membrane, permeable soil.
The word often appears in scientific contexts—cell membranes are selectively permeable, allowing certain molecules through while blocking others.
Figuratively, permeable boundaries are easily crossed: The border between work and home life has become increasingly permeable.
Soft and absorbent
- porousAllowing passage of fluids
- meshInterlocking open weave
- perforatedHaving holes throughout
- breathablePermits air passage
pitted · cellular · foamy · openwork · lattice · interstice · aerated · honeycomb
Allowing partial passage
- osmosisSolvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- cell membraneOuter layer of cytoplasm
- selectiveChoosing with care
transport · dialysis · reverse osmosis · partition · exchange · gradient · solute · solvent
Porous separation device
- sieveMesh filtering utensil
- strainerPerforated draining vessel
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- purifyRemove unwanted substances
separate · extract · sediment · particulate · clarify · barrier · screen · colander
Permits air passage
- Gore-TexWaterproof breathable fabric membrane
- moisture-wickingDraws liquid from skin
- textileMaterial from woven fibers
- sportswearClothing for exercise
outerwear · sweat · microfiber · laminate · windproof · rain gear · activewear · DWR
Obstruction preventing passage
- borderOuter edge or limit
- crossingPoint where paths intersect
- passageSegment of text
- transitMovement between places
accessible · traversable · open · fluid · exchange · interface · threshold · gateway
Groundwater-bearing geological formation
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- sandstoneCemented grain sediment
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- soilGround matter for planting
seepage · infiltration · water table · bedrock · sediment · runoff · recharge · porosity
spongy
Soft and absorbent
- porousAllowing passage of fluids
- meshInterlocking open weave
- perforatedHaving holes throughout
breathable · pitted · cellular · foamy · openwork · lattice · interstice · aerated · honeycomb · netting
semipermeable
Allowing partial passage
- osmosisSolvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- cell membraneOuter layer of cytoplasm
selective · transport · dialysis · reverse osmosis · partition · exchange · gradient · solute · solvent · cytoplasm
filter
Porous separation device
- sieveMesh filtering utensil
- strainerPerforated draining vessel
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
purify · separate · extract · sediment · particulate · clarify · barrier · screen · colander · cheesecloth
breathable
Permits air passage
- Gore-TexWaterproof breathable fabric membrane
- moisture-wickingDraws liquid from skin
- textileMaterial from woven fibers
sportswear · outerwear · sweat · microfiber · laminate · windproof · rain gear · activewear · DWR · shell
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
transit · accessible · traversable · open · fluid · exchange · interface · threshold · gateway · transition
aquifer
Groundwater-bearing geological formation
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- sandstoneCemented grain sediment
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
soil · seepage · infiltration · water table · bedrock · sediment · runoff · recharge · porosity · karst
- porous thingsporous, sponge, mesh, sieve, colander
- opennessopen, openness, transparent, transparency, accessible
- vulnerabilityvulnerability, vulnerable, defenselessness, defenseless, helplessness
- geologicaligneous, metamorphic, sedimentary, volcanic, tectonic
- container traitsairtight, leakproof, sealed, watertight, stackable
- visibilityvisibility, visible, invisible, hidden, hide
permeableimpermeable
Cannot be penetrated
impervious · nonporous · watertight · airtight · waterproof
permeableimpenetrable
Impossible to pass through
impassable · impervious · impermeable · impassible · closed