Impervious
/ɪmˈpɜːrviəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Impervious describes something that does not let things go through it or does not get affected by outside influences. For example, a material can be impervious to water if water cannot enter it. It can also mean a person who does not react to emotions or criticism.
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See It in Action
Not allowing liquids or gases to pass through
- •The jacket is impervious to rain, so it keeps you dry.
- •This material is impervious to water and dirt.
- •The walls are impervious to moisture.
Not affected or influenced by emotions, ideas, or criticism
- •She was impervious to the negative comments and stayed confident.
- •He remained impervious to fear during the challenge.
- •The manager was impervious to complaints from the staff.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "impervious" like "not affected," but stronger and more complete—nothing can get inside or change it
- ✓Picture a raincoat that keeps all the rain out, so you stay dry even in a storm
- ✓It's the feeling when someone does not get upset no matter what others say or do to them
- ✓Sounds like "im-PUR-vee-us" → Imagine a PURPLE shield that blocks everything coming at it
- ✓Think of superheroes with invisible force fields that protect them from harm or words
- ✓NOT like "resistant" (which means it can be affected but tries to fight)—impervious means no effect at all
- ✓NOT like "open" (which lets things through)—impervious blocks everything completely
- ✓NOT like "tough" (which means strong but can still be hurt)—impervious means no damage or change happens
Try Other Words
- •Resistant: able to fight against something but not completely blocking it (Use when something can be affected a little)
- •Unaffected: not changed by something (Use when focusing on feelings or emotions)
- •Waterproof: does not allow water to enter (Use for objects and materials related to water)
- •Invulnerable: cannot be harmed or damaged (Use when meaning very strong protection, often physical or emotional)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "im-" (not) + root "pervious" (allowing passage)
- •Etymology: From Latin "impervius" meaning "not passable" or "not allowing passage"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to describe materials or people that do not allow something to pass or affect them
- •Modern usage: Used in science for materials, and in everyday language to describe people’s emotional or mental state that does not change easily
Reflect & Connect
•Can being impervious to criticism be good or bad? Why?
•How does something impervious protect or separate itself from the outside world?
Fill in the blanks
1.The raincoat is impervious to ___, so you stay dry even in a heavy storm.
2.She was impervious to the ___ comments and did not feel sad.
3.Unlike materials that absorb water, this fabric is impervious ___ liquids.
4.When someone is impervious to fear, it means they do not ___ scared.
5.The walls are impervious ___ moisture, so the house stays dry inside.
6.Being impervious to new ideas can make it hard to ___ and learn.
7.The soldier wore armor that was impervious ___ damage from weapons.