Meaning
4 sensesThat can or does physically penetrate something; piercing, penetrating.
tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing
Displaying insight or discrimination; acute; penetrating.
That can penetrate opposition defences.
Pertaining to sexual activity involving penetration by the penis (or similar object).
Examples
2 sentencesSex doesn't have to be penetrative.
Muons are charged particles similar to electrons, and scientists say they are "highly penetrative."
Origin
From Middle English penetratyve, penetratif, from Medieval Latin penetrativus, from (the pFrom Middle English penetratyve, penetratif, from Medieval Latin penetrativus, from (the participle stem of) Latin penetrāre (“to penetrate”).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
more penetrative, most penetrative| Comparative | more penetrative Lesson |
|---|---|
| Superlative | most penetrative Lesson |
regular
Synonyms
8 synonyms- tending to penetrate; having the power of entering or piercing:penetrating
- having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions:acutediscriminatingincisivekeenknifelikepenetratingpiercingsharp
Antonyms
1 antonymsWord family
6 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A2Comparatives — Because it has a comparative form
- A2Superlatives — Because it has a superlative form
See also
neighbours in the dictionaryDictionary text adapted from Wiktionary (Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet / Princeton WordNet (CC BY 4.0, WordNet License); shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and recordings are credited where they appear.