impervious
[ɪmˈpɜːvi.əs]
[ɪmˈpɝ.vi.əs]
An impervious person or surface doesn't get affected by things that try to change them. Water can't seep into a rock face because it's impervious.
We often use "impervious" when talking about people who are stubborn and won't listen to others' opinions, but also in the literal sense of materials like water-repellent fabrics or rocks that don't absorb liquids. Think about a raincoat that's supposed to keep you dry - its material is impervious to water. It means the water can't get past it easily.
How common is "impervious"?
Word impervious is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
adjective
Unaffected or unable to be affected by something.
Example: The man was completely impervious to the deception we were trying.
pervious
Real examples of "impervious" in context
