percolate

[ˈpərkəleɪt]

percolate Definition

• 1. to filter through a porous substance or material
• 2. to spread gradually through an area or group of people
• 3. to become lively or active

Using percolate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "percolate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The coffee percolated slowly through the filter.

• Example

  News of the scandal began to percolate through the company.

• Example

  Excitement began to percolate among the crowd as the concert approached.

percolate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for percolate

• filter
• seep
• penetrate
• diffuse
• spread

Antonyms for percolate

• concentrate
• collect
• gather

Phrases with percolate

• percolate down

  to spread gradually from a higher to a lower level or through a larger group

  Example

  The new policy has yet to percolate down to the lower ranks of the company.

• percolate up

  to move gradually from a lower to a higher level or through a smaller group

  Example

  Ideas and suggestions often percolate up from the employees to the management.

• percolate through

  to spread gradually through a group or area

  Example

  The news of the accident percolated through the small town quickly.

Origins of percolate

from Latin 'percolare', meaning 'to strain through'

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Summary: percolate in Brief

The verb 'percolate' [ˈpərkəleɪt] refers to the process of filtering through a porous substance or spreading gradually through an area or group of people. It can also mean becoming lively or active. Examples include 'The coffee percolated slowly through the filter.' and 'Excitement began to percolate among the crowd as the concert approached.' Phrases like 'percolate down' and 'percolate up' describe the movement of ideas or information through levels of hierarchy or groups of people.