impervious

im·per·vi·ous

adj \(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs\

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

Examples of IMPERVIOUS

1. <the material for this coat is supposed to be impervious to rain>
2. <the rain forest is impervious to all but the most dedicated explorers>
3. … Berlin struck me, above all, as impervious to any political reactions whatever … —Stephen Spender, New York Times Magazine, 30 Oct.1977
4. He looked at her, impervious to her tears … —Jean Stafford, Children Are Bored on Sunday, (1945) 1953
5. … the trunk … is encased in so hard a bark, as to be almost impervious to a bullet … —Herman Melville, Omoo, 1847

Origin of IMPERVIOUS

Latin impervius, from in- + pervius pervious

First Known Use: 1640

Related to IMPERVIOUS

Synonyms: impenetrable, impermeable, tight

Antonyms: penetrable, permeable, pervious

Related Words: close, compact, dense, snug, thick; airtight, hermetic (also hermetical), leakproof, watertight; lightproof, soundproof, waterproof

Near Antonyms: absorbent, leaky, porous, unsealed

see all synonyms and antonyms

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