filter

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.

Electronics or software that separates unwanted signals (for example noise) from wanted signals or that attenuates selected frequencies.

Any item, mechanism, device, or procedure that acts to separate or isolate.

(photography) A translucent object placed in the light path of a camera to remove certain wavelengths (colors), or a computer program that simulates such an effect.

(social media) An appearance-altering digital image effect.

(figurative) Self-restraint in speech.

(mathematics, order theory) A non-empty upper set (of a partially ordered set) which is closed under binary infima (a.k.a. meets).

A surname from German.

verb

(transitive) To sort, sift, or isolate.

(transitive) To diffuse; to cause to be less concentrated or focused.

(intransitive) To pass through a filter or to act as though passing through a filter.

(intransitive) To move slowly or gradually; to come or go a few at a time.

(intransitive) To ride a motorcycle between lanes on a road

(intransitive, derogatory, fandom slang) To be discouraged where a connoisseur or hardcore fan would not.

Roots

filtrumfilter- · Latin · felt strainer

Synonyms for filter

filtraten percolaten strainern purifiern tricklen sieven siftern colandern cribble percolatorn

Synonyms & related words for filter

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of filter — including filtrate, percolate, strainer, purifier, trickle, sieve. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to filter

Explore words related to filter — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include refilter, filterability, filtration, ultrafilter, filterable, attenuates, unfiltered, preselector. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for filter

Common synonyms for filter include filtrate, percolate, strainer, purifier, trickle, sieve, sifter, colander — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does filter come from?

The word filter breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root filter-, from Latin filtrum (“felt strainer”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.