invasive

1 of 2

adjective

in·​va·​sive in-ˈvā-siv 

-ziv

1

: tending to spread especially in a quick or aggressive manner: such as

a

of a non-native organism : growing and dispersing easily usually to the detriment of native species and ecosystems

It will be the second Australian insect released to thwart melaleuca, one of many exponentially spreading invasive plants that out-compete native Florida species, monopolizing wetlands and natural areas.

—Neil Santaniello

Scientists say more than 150 invasive species have entered the Great Lakes, multiplying rapidly and feeding on native species or outcompeting with them for food.

—Sophia Taren

b(1)

of cancer cells : tending to infiltrate surrounding healthy tissue

… this procedure preserves the architecture of the tissue sample, which is vital for determining whether tumor cells are invasive.

—Andrew A. Skolnick

(2)

of a pathogenic microorganism or disease : disseminating from a localized area throughout the body

sepsis association with invasive bacteria

invasive streptococcal infection

2

: involving entry into the living body (as by incision or by insertion of an instrument)

invasive diagnostic techniques

3

: of, relating to, or characterized by military aggression

4

: tending to infringe

invasiveness noun

invasive

2 of 2

noun

: an organism that is not native to the place where found and tends to grow and spread easily usually to the detriment of native species and ecosystems

Zebra mussels are the latest in a series of aquatic invasives to threaten Texas' inland waters.

—Shannon Tompkins

Examples of invasive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Initial research shows flooding linked to Helene may have helped 222 non-native species spread, 90 of them considered invasive. —Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025

This comes at a time when providers are facing an increasingly competitive landscape as more providers enter the market to meet growing demand and as non-invasive and at-home technologies gain traction. —Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Noun

How did invasives end up in residential areas? —Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2025

Bear works with his handler, agricultural inspector Vanessa Ochoa, to catch packages entering the county with unmarked agricultural goods, potentially dangerous hosts for invasives. —Emilie Takahashi, Oc Register, 11 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

earlier, "attacking, offensive," going back to Middle English invasif "offensive (of weapons)," borrowed from Middle French and Medieval Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin invāsīvus, from Latin invāsus, past participle of invādere "to enter with hostile intent, assault, attack" + -īvus -ive — more at invade

Noun

derivative of invasive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1990, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing invasive

• invasive species

Rhymes for invasive

• abrasive
• persuasive
• pervasive
• noninvasive
• unpersuasive

Kids Definition

invasive

adjective

in·​va·​sive in-ˈvā-siv 

-ziv

: tending to spread

especially : tending to invade healthy tissue

invasive cancer cells

Medical Definition

invasive

adjective

in·​va·​sive -siv, -ziv 

1

: tending to spread

especially : tending to invade healthy tissue

invasive cancer cells

2

: involving entry into the living body (as by incision or by insertion of an instrument)

invasive diagnostic techniques

invasiveness noun