invasive
/ɪnˈveɪsɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈveɪsɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈvā-siv -ziv/ (ame, mw)
invasive — adjective
- invasivepositive
- more invasivecomparative
- most invasivesuperlative
1. relating to any medical technique that enters the body, either by making a cut o
relating to any medical technique that enters the body, either by making a cut or by inserting a tool.
The surgeon said Lisa needed an invasive operation to repair her damaged heart valve.
attributive: invasive operation
Yael was relieved when the doctor chose a less invasive method to check her arteries.
modified by 'less' + comparative
Some skin biopsies are invasive because a small piece of tissue must be cut out.
Minimally invasive surgery usually involves only a few small cuts instead of one large opening.
The clinic offers non-invasive treatments for patients who want to avoid going under the knife.
- non-invasive
the direct opposite; no cutting or body entry required
文法句型
invasive + {noun} (surgery, procedure, test)
minimally invasive + {noun}
用法筆記
Often used with 'minimally' or 'less' to describe modern surgical techniques that reduce harm to the body. The opposite is 'non-invasive' (no cutting or insertion).
常見錯誤
2. describes a disease or infection that moves from its original area into other pa
describes a disease or infection that moves from its original area into other parts of the body, where it continues to grow and cause damage.
The biopsy showed that Walid had invasive breast cancer that already reached his lymph nodes.
attributive: invasive form of breast cancer
Rachid's doctors caught the infection early before it became invasive and spread to his lungs.
predicative: became invasive + and spread to…
This bacteria is highly invasive and spreads from the gut to the kidneys in hours.
An invasive tumour pushes into the healthy tissue around it, making surgery more difficult.
Early treatment can stop an invasive infection before it reaches the brain or spinal cord.
- metastatic
specific to cancer that spreads to new body parts via blood or lymph; 'invasive' is broader and applies to any spreading disease
- aggressive
emphasises speed and severity; often used together ('aggressive and invasive cancer')
- localised
staying in one area and not spreading; 'localised infection' vs 'invasive infection'
文法句型
invasive + {noun} (cancer, disease, infection)
highly invasive + {noun}
用法筆記
Frequently used with cancer types ('invasive ductal carcinoma', 'invasive melanoma'). Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on internal spread within the body, not on medical procedures.
常見錯誤
3. describes an organism that arrives in a place where it does not naturally belong
describes an organism that arrives in a place where it does not naturally belong and then damages the existing environment or its native inhabitants.
Park rangers spent the summer removing invasive vines that were smothering the native forest trees.
attributive: invasive vines
Sari learned that the colourful fish was an invasive species from South America.
attributive: invasive species from [place]
Some plants are so invasive they can cover an entire wetland in one growing season.
Invasive insects that arrive on cargo ships can destroy crops that local farmers depend on.
The lake's native fish population fell sharply after an invasive snail was accidentally introduced.
- non-native
broader — simply means not originally from the area, but may not cause harm
- alien
synonym for non-native; less common in modern scientific writing
- native
originally from and naturally found in the area
文法句型
invasive + {noun} (species, plant, animal, organism)
用法筆記
Common collocation: 'invasive species' (often shortened to 'invasive' as a noun — see noun sense). The key characteristic is that the organism is non-native AND causes harm, not just that it spreads.
常見錯誤
4. interfering with someone's private life or personal choices to a degree that see
interfering with someone's private life or personal choices to a degree that seems unfair or unpleasant.
Yuki found the company's request for her medical records to be invasive and unnecessary.
find + {noun} + invasive
The school installed cameras in the changing rooms, which many students considered invasive.
consider + {noun} + invasive
Zola thought the questions about her marriage were too invasive for a work interview.
Some apps ask for invasive permissions to read your contacts and private photos.
A full body search at the airport can feel invasive even with polite security officers.
- respectful
showing proper regard for others' privacy and boundaries
文法句型
invasive + {noun} (question, search, surveillance, behaviour)
find/consider + {noun} + invasive
用法筆記
The most common everyday usage of 'invasive'. Often used to describe questions, searches, surveillance, or company data collection. Weaker than 'violating' but stronger than 'nosy'.
常見錯誤
invasive — noun
1. a living thing, such as a plant or animal, that is not originally from the place
a living thing, such as a plant or animal, that is not originally from the place where it is found and that spreads rapidly, often causing harm to the local environment and the species that naturally live there.
The zebra mussel is an invasive that has cost billions in pipe and boat damage.
countable: 'an invasive'
Park staff spend every summer pulling invasives out of the protected wetland area.
plural: 'invasives'
Once an invasive becomes established in a new habitat, removing it is extremely difficult.
The government listed the ten most harmful invasives in the country's national parks.
- invasive species
the full form; 'invasive' as a noun is an abbreviation used in technical writing
- alien species
synonym but less common; emphasises the 'foreign' origin
- native species
a species that naturally occurs in the area without human introduction
文法句型
(an/the) invasive + verb
用法筆記
This noun form is a shortening of 'invasive species' and is used almost exclusively in ecology and environmental management contexts. Usually plural when referring to a group ('invasives').