emanate

verb

em·​a·​nate ˈe-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce emanate (audio)
emanated; emanating

intransitive verb

: to come out from a source
a sweet scent emanating from the blossoms

transitive verb

: emit
she seems to emanate an air of serenity
Choose the Right Synonym for emanate

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence.

spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

Examples of emanate in a Sentence

Good smells emanated from the kitchen. Constant criticism has emanated from her opponents. Happiness seems to emanate from her. She seems to emanate happiness.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meduna controversially sought to block the natural light emanating through the neo Gothic arches on the main facade, in an attempt to protect the famed painting. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025 Viral videos show groups of girls dressed in head-to-toe neon orange Lorax fits, sporting Pitbull-style bald caps, or emanating Alexander Hamilton in a Founding Father outfit, complete with a powdered wig. Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025 With weak leadership, Japan will struggle to navigate the uncertainty emanating from Washington. Mireya Solís, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025 Both emanate from troubled families, happen upon each other, fall in love almost instantly, and quickly begin having children — Susannah (Bohdi Rae Breathnatch), and then twins, Judith (Olivia Lynes) and Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe). Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emanate

Word History

Etymology

Latin emanatus, past participle of emanare, from e- + manare to flow

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of emanate was in 1756

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emanate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emanate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

emanate

verb
em·​a·​nate ˈem-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce emanate (audio)
emanated; emanating
1
: to come out from a source
a scent emanating from the flowers
2
: emit sense 1a, give out
seems to emanate confidence
emanation
ˌem-ə-ˈnā-shən
noun
emanational
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
emanative
ˈem-ə-ˌnāt-iv
adjective

Medical Definition

emanate

verb
em·​a·​nate ˈem-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce emanate (audio)
emanated; emanating

intransitive verb

: to come out from a source

transitive verb

: to give out or emit

More from Merriam-Webster on emanate

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