First Known Use: 1640
Dictionary
impervious
adjective im·per·vi·ous \(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs\
: not allowing something (such as water or light) to enter or pass through
: not bothered or affected by something
Full Definition of IMPERVIOUS
1
a : not allowing entrance or passage : impenetrable <a coat impervious to rain> b : not capable of being damaged or harmed <a carpet impervious to rough treatment>
2
: not capable of being affected or disturbed <impervious to criticism>
— im·per·vi·ous·ly adverb
— im·per·vi·ous·ness noun
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Examples of IMPERVIOUS
- … Berlin struck me, above all, as impervious to any political reactions whatever … —Stephen Spender, New York Times Magazine, 30 Oct.1977
- He looked at her, impervious to her tears … —Jean Stafford, Children Are Bored on Sunday, (1945) 1953
- … the trunk … is encased in so hard a bark, as to be almost impervious to a bullet … —Herman Melville, Omoo, 1847
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Origin of IMPERVIOUS
Latin impervius, from in- + pervius pervious
Related to IMPERVIOUS
- Synonyms
- impenetrable, impermeable, tight
- Antonyms
- penetrable, permeable, pervious
IMPERVIOUS Defined for Kids
impervious
adjective im·per·vi·ous \im-ˈpər-vē-əs\
Definition of IMPERVIOUS for Kids
1
: not letting something enter or pass through <The coat is impervious to rain.>
2
: not bothered or affected by something <He's impervious to their criticism.>
Medical Dictionary
impervious
adjective im·per·vi·ous \(ˈ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs\
Medical Definition of IMPERVIOUS
: not allowing entrance or passage <medication packaged in a container impervious to air and light>
—im·per·vi·ous·ness noun
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