Word: pervasive (adjective)

Associations

"Pervasive" means something that spreads widely or is present everywhere in a place or situation.

• The smell of fresh bread was pervasive in the bakery. (The smell was everywhere in the bakery.)
• Technology is pervasive in modern life. (Technology is present in many parts of daily life.)
• There was a pervasive feeling of happiness at the party. (The feeling was strong and everywhere among the people.) A similar word is "widespread," but "pervasive" often suggests something more continuous or deeply spread, not just common.

Substitution

You can use words like "widespread," "common," or "universal" instead of "pervasive," but:

• "Widespread" means found over a large area.
• "Common" means often seen or usual.
• "Universal" means found everywhere or by everyone. "Pervasive" focuses more on something spreading through or deeply affecting a place or group.

Deconstruction

The root is "pervade," which means to spread through or be present in every part.

• "Per-" means "through."
• "Vade" comes from Latin "vadere," meaning "to go." So "pervade" literally means "to go through," and "pervasive" describes something that goes through or spreads everywhere.

Inquiry

• Can you think of something that is pervasive in your school or workplace?
• How does a pervasive problem differ from a small or local problem?
• Have you experienced a pervasive feeling, like happiness or fear? When?