Word
impervious
Phoneticsim·per·vi·ous, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈpɝviəs/
UK/ɪmpˈɜːvɪəs/
Definition
adj. impossible to damage, change, or influence. You use this to describe something that stays the same no matter what happens to it.
adj. impenetrable or resistant to damage, influence, or change. Often used to describe materials that do not allow liquids to pass through or to describe people who remain unaffected by criticism.
Examples
“The waterproof jacket is impervious to rain.”
“The old stone walls were impervious to the heavy storms that battered the village for days.”
“Despite the intense public scrutiny and constant media pressure, the CEO remained impervious to criticism, maintaining a steady and confident leadership style throughout the crisis.”
Examples
simple
“The waterproof jacket is impervious to rain.”
contextual
“The old stone walls were impervious to the heavy storms that battered the village for days.”
complex
“Despite the intense public scrutiny and constant media pressure, the CEO remained impervious to criticism, maintaining a steady and confident leadership style throughout the crisis.”
Real-World Examples
“Other research shows that protective PVC gloves actually can break down as temperatures increase and become less impervious to the chemicals.” “To deal with the settling, Peters and his team developed flexible flooring lined with an impervious three-ply fabric.” Etymology
From Latin impervius (“that cannot be passed through”), from in- (“not”) + pervius (“letting things through”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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