fumigate
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈfjuːmɪɡeɪt/
KK: /ˈfjuːmɪɡeɪt/
intransitive verb
Definition
To use smoke or chemical fumes to kill pests or germs in a space.
Example
The pest control company will fumigate the house to eliminate the termites.
Tense Forms
Past: fumigated
Past Participle: fumigated
Conversation
Have you heard about the need to fumigate the old storage room?
Yeah, I heard it's full of pests and mold.
I think they should really fumigate it before anyone goes in there.
Definitely! It's better to be safe than sorry.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
disinfect
purify
sterilize
Antonyms
contaminate
pollute
infect
transitive verb
Definition
To treat an area with smoke or fumes to kill pests or to clean it.
Example
The pest control company will fumigate the house to eliminate the termites.
Tense Forms
Past: fumigated
Past Participle: fumigated
Conversation
I think we need to fumigate the house soon.
Yeah, I noticed some bugs around lately.
It's probably a good idea to call someone to fumigate it this weekend.
Root Explanation
Fumigate → It is formed from "fumigare" (from Latin, meaning to smoke) and the suffix "-ate" (indicating to cause or make). The word "fumigate" means to make smoke, typically to purify or disinfect an area.
Memory Tip
Think of the Latin word for smoke, 'fumus', to remember that fumigate means to use smoke to cleanse or disinfect an area.
Visually Confused Words
unfumigated
suffumigate
fustigate
fulminate
migrate
fungate
frigate