Words / C1

im-PURV-ee-uh-s/ɪmˈpɜːviəs/

Impervious means not affected or influenced, or not allowing liquid through: impervious to criticism, an impervious coating. Immune (already in the dictionary) is a close cousin in the “unaffected” sense; a coating claim on a leaflet is not a leak log.

Meaning

Not affected or influenced; also not allowing liquid to pass through.

Examples

• “The occupancy cap is impervious to a vibe of welcome.”
• “A leaflet claiming the roof is impervious is not a leak log.”
• “Immune is already in this course (unaffected). Resistant is the materials twin. A leaflet is branding. A dated stain on the sitting-room ceiling is evidence. Open the maintenance file; then reprint the leaflet if it still holds.”

Good to know

Unaffected, or waterproof. Close: immune (already in the dictionary). A leaflet ≠ a leak log.

Near in meaning

immune, resistant

New