impervious

/ɪmˈpɜːviəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈpɜːrviəs/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs/ (ame, mw)

impervious — adjective

  • imperviouspositive
  • more imperviouscomparative
  • most impervioussuperlative

1. describing a material that blocks water, gas, or other substances from passing t

1.形容詞C2
釋義

describing a material that blocks water, gas, or other substances from passing through it

例句

The hiking jacket Vivek bought is impervious to rain and light snow.

impervious to + liquid noun

Engineers covered the roof with a thin metal sheet impervious to moisture.

同義詞
  • waterproof

    everyday word, only about water; impervious is broader and more formal

  • impermeable

    near-synonym, also formal/technical; often interchangeable here

  • sealed

    describes a closed-off state rather than a material property

反義詞
  • permeable

    formal opposite, allows liquid or gas to pass through

  • porous

    has small holes that let liquid through, e.g. a sponge

文法句型

impervious to + noun (liquid/gas)

用法筆記

Subject is usually a physical material, surface, or object. Almost always followed by 'to' plus the substance being blocked (water, moisture, gas, oil). Sense 2 covers the figurative 'unaffected by emotions/ideas' usage.

常見錯誤

❌The coat is impervious from the rain.
✅The coat is impervious to the rain.
💡the preposition is always 'to', never 'from' or 'against'.

2. describing a person who appears completely unmoved by something that would norma

2.形容詞C2
釋義

describing a person who appears completely unmoved by something that would normally upset, persuade, or impress others

例句

Naoko seemed impervious to the criticism from her boss during the meeting.

impervious to + criticism (typical collocation)

Even after losing the match, Caleb remained impervious to the boos from the crowd.

同義詞
  • unaffected

    neutral and common; impervious is stronger and more formal

  • indifferent

    implies not caring; impervious implies resistance to being influenced

  • immune

    often interchangeable; immune carries a sense of protection

反義詞

文法句型

impervious to + abstract noun (criticism, pain, charm)

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person. Always followed by 'to' plus an abstract noun the person resists (criticism, pain, flattery, emotion). Often implies a deliberate or trained insensitivity, not just neutrality. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about physical materials.

常見錯誤

❌Imani was impervious about the rude comments.
✅Imani was impervious to the rude comments.
💡use 'to', not 'about' or 'from'.