filter
noun · verb
Simple meaning
A device that cleans a liquid or gas by removing unwanted parts
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
filterSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈfɪltɚ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A device which separates a suspended, dissolved, or particulate matter from a fluid, solution, or other substance; any device that separates one substance from another.
Any item, mechanism, device, or procedure that acts to separate or isolate.
figurative
Self-restraint in speech.
Electronics or software that separates unwanted signals (for example noise) from wanted signals or that attenuates selected frequencies.
verb
intransitive
To pass through a filter or to act as though passing through a filter.
transitive
To sort, sift, or isolate.
intransitive
To move slowly or gradually; to come or go a few at a time.
transitive
To diffuse; to cause to be less concentrated or focused.
intransitive
To ride a motorcycle between lanes on a road
Remove by passing through a filter
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A1 · Beginner (estimated)
- Frequency
- Very Common
- Typical Use
- Varies by meaning
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A device which separates a suspended, dissolved, or particulate matter from a fluid, solution, or other substance; any device that separates one substance from another.
Used this way, filter is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use filter
- “Filter out the impurities.”verb
Share your sentence
Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A cigarette with a filter tip.
Remove by passing through a filter.
Filter consisting of a layer of sand or gravel for filtering water.
A porous unsized paper used for filtering.
An air filter on the end of a cigarette.
Filter (usually of paper) that passes the coffee and retains the coffee grounds.
Related words
Connected by subject or meaning, not by word formation.
The process whereby fluids pass through a filter or a filtering medium.
Related Words
Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.
- cakenoun
- filtrationnoun
- modulationnoun
- capacitornoun
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Use This Word
See how this word sounds in a real sentence.
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Use it yourself
Keep learning “filter” by choosing the kind of practice you need next.
- Practice sentence writingWrite sentences with vocabulary and get instant feedback.
- Practice in contextAnswer short vocabulary questions drawn from real situations.
- Review vocabularyTest your recall and strengthen words over time.
- Practice typingType vocabulary in short rounds that draw from words you've learned and saved.
Want to type words like this one without looking at the keyboard? Each typing round draws from words you've learned, saved or need to review. Follow the free Learn to Type lessons and type your own vocabulary with confidence.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.