impervious
gb/ɪmpˈɚviəs/ us/ɪmpˈɚviəs/
C1
English
immunis, érzéketlen, átereszthetetlen, vízhatlan
C1
1
immunis
B2
érzéketlen
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is impervious to [something]
She seemed impervious to criticism and kept working as if nothing had happened.
Úgy tűnt, immunis a kritikára, és úgy dolgozott tovább, mintha mi sem történt volna.
The company was impervious to public pressure until sales started to fall.
A vállalat sokáig immunis volt a közvélemény nyomására, egészen addig, amíg csökkenni nem kezdtek az eladások.
He acted tough, but he wasn’t impervious to stress.
Learner examples
He is impervious to bad comments.
Immunis a bántó megjegyzésekre.
She seems impervious to pain.
Úgy tűnik, érzéketlen a fájdalomra.
Common mistake:
Often confused with oblivious (not noticing). Impervious means something cannot affect you, even if you notice it.
Meaning
not affected by something
Collocations
impervious to criticism
|impervious to pressure
|impervious to change
|impervious to persuasion
|impervious to reason
|impervious to pain
|impervious to infection
|impervious to marketing
|seem impervious to
|remain impervious to
Synonyms
unaffected (More general and common; less forceful than impervious.)
|
immune (Often suggests complete protection, especially from harm or disease.)
|
insensitive (Emphasizes lack of emotional response; can sound negative.)
Antonyms
susceptible (Easily influenced or harmed by something.)
|
sensitive (Quick to react emotionally or physically.)
|
vulnerable (Open to harm or damage.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|behavior
Definition
If you are impervious to something, it does not affect you.
Not influenced or harmed by something, such as criticism, persuasion, or pain.
C1
2
vízhatlan
B2
Usage pattern:
[material/surface] is impervious to [water/liquid/substance]
The sealant creates a layer that is impervious to water.
A tömítőanyag olyan réteget képez, amely nem ereszti át a vizet.
Use a container that’s impervious to oil and heat.
Olyan tárolót használj, amely olaj- és hőálló.
The boots are designed to be impervious to moisture.
Learner examples
This jacket is impervious to rain.
Ez a kabát vízhatlan.
The plastic cover is impervious to water.
A műanyag borítás nem ereszti át a vizet.
Common mistake:
Learners may use impermeable in everyday contexts; impervious is fine but often sounds more formal or technical.
Meaning
not letting liquid pass through
Collocations
impervious to water
|impervious to moisture
|impervious to oil
|impervious to chemicals
|impervious coating
|impervious barrier
|impervious membrane
|impervious layer
|impervious material
|impervious surface
Synonyms
waterproof (Common everyday term, especially for clothing and gear.)
|
impermeable (More technical/scientific term for not letting substances pass through.)
|
nonporous (Focuses on having no pores; often used for surfaces like glass or tile.)
Antonyms
permeable (Allows liquids or gases to pass through.)
|
porous (Has small holes that let liquid or air pass through.)
|
absorbent (Soaks up liquid rather than blocking it.)
Themes
materials
|daily_life
|science
Definition
If something is impervious, liquid cannot go through it.
Not allowing water, air, or another substance to pass through; not permeable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impervious
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɚviəs/
US/ɪmpˈɚviəs/
Syllables & stress
im - per - vi - ous (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (per)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: impervious
Word family
Core family
imperviousness
noun
Related words
pervious
adjective
permeable
adjective
impermeable
adjective
Advanced or less common
imperviously
adverb
Expressions
impervious layer
1/ɪmpˈɚviəs lˈeɪɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
layer that blocks water flow
A layer that water cannot pass through.
Examples
- Engineers added an impervious layer to prevent water from leaking into the tunnel.
- A natural impervious layer of clay can slow drainage.
- The design includes an impervious layer beneath the roof membrane.
Learner examples
- The roof has an impervious layer.
- Clay can form an impervious layer.
impervious surface
1/ɪmpˈɚviəs sˈɚfɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
surface that blocks water soaking in
A hard surface where water cannot go into the ground.
Examples
- Replacing some impervious surface with gardens can reduce flooding.
- The new parking lot added a large area of impervious surface.
- Cities often have higher runoff because of impervious surfaces.
Learner examples
- Concrete is an impervious surface.
- Too much impervious surface can cause flooding.