invasive
gb/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv/ us/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv/
B2
English
~ 7900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
intrusive, violating privacy or space
Coming too close into someone's private life or space in a way that feels uncomfortable or not respectful.
Usage pattern:
an invasive [question/check/search/test]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "invasive" with "invasion" and use the noun where an adjective is needed (e.g., *"This question is an invasion"* instead of "This question is invasive"). They may also think "invasive" only describes physical contact, but it is also commonly used for questions, advertising, or technology that intrudes on privacy.
Synonyms
intrusive (Very close in meaning; often used for questions, thoughts, or behavior that goes too far into someone's private life.)
Antonyms
discreet (Describes behavior that is careful not to attract attention or invade someone's privacy.)
Collocations
invasive questions
|invasive search
|invasive checks
|invasive advertising
|overly invasive
Themes
daily life
|society
|emotions
|relationships
|communication
Examples
- She found the detailed questionnaire about her personal relationships extremely invasive.
- Many users feel that the new app's data collection is far too invasive.
- The security pat-down was so invasive that several passengers filed complaints.
- He refused to answer such invasive questions about his medical history.
- Neighbors complained about the landlord's invasive inspections of their apartments.
Learner examples
- The reporter asked very invasive questions about his family.
- I think this survey is too invasive, so I will not finish it.
- Some people find body searches at airports invasive.
- These ads feel invasive because they follow me on every website.
adjective
B2
property
2
entering the body in medical procedures
Used for medical tests or treatments that go inside the body, often by cutting the skin or putting in tools.
Usage pattern:
an invasive [procedure/surgery/test/treatment]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "invasive" means "infectious" or "contagious" and may say things like *"This disease is very invasive"* when they really mean it spreads between people. In medical language, "invasive" here describes how a procedure enters the body, not how a disease spreads between people.
Synonyms
surgical (Often overlaps when talking about operations, but "surgical" more specifically means related to surgery, while "invasive" focuses on entering the body.)
Antonyms
non-invasive (Direct opposite in medical contexts, describing procedures that do not enter the body or break the skin.)
Collocations
invasive surgery
|invasive procedure
|invasive test
|highly invasive
|minimally invasive
Themes
health
|science
Examples
- The doctor recommended an invasive procedure to repair the damaged artery.
- Because the test is invasive, you may need a day to recover afterward.
- They chose a less invasive surgery that required only a few small incisions.
- Invasive tests carry a higher risk of complications and infection.
- Advances in technology have made many heart operations much less invasive.
Learner examples
- The operation is invasive because the doctor must cut the skin.
- This is an invasive test, so you will stay in the hospital overnight.
- The patient asked if there was a less invasive treatment.
- Many people prefer non-invasive tests when possible.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
non-native species spreading and harmful
Used for plants or animals that come from another place, spread very fast, and cause problems for the local environment.
Usage pattern:
invasive [species/plant/weed/insect/fish]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse "invasive" with "endangered" or "protected." "Invasive" species are usually too successful and cause harm, while "endangered" species are at risk of disappearing. Some learners also think any foreign or imported plant is "invasive," but the word is normally used when it spreads and causes damage.
Synonyms
aggressive (In ecological writing, "aggressive" can describe fast-spreading species, but it does not always mean they are non-native or officially classified as invasive.)
Antonyms
native (Describes species that naturally occur in an area and are not introduced from elsewhere.)
Collocations
invasive species
|invasive plants
|invasive weeds
|invasive insects
|invasive fish
Themes
science
|environment
|nature
Examples
- The lake is being choked by invasive plants that crowd out native species.
- Authorities are working to control an invasive insect that is killing local trees.
- Cargo ships often accidentally introduce invasive species through their ballast water.
- The government launched a campaign to remove invasive weeds from protected wetlands.
- Scientists warn that climate change may help invasive fish spread into new rivers.
Learner examples
- These invasive plants grow very fast and kill local flowers.
- An invasive species can harm animals that already live in the area.
- The town pays people to remove invasive weeds from the park.
- Invasive insects are a big problem for farmers.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
disease or cancer spreading in tissue
Used for diseases, often cancer, that move out from their first place and grow into nearby healthy parts of the body.
Usage pattern:
invasive [cancer/tumor/disease]
Common mistake:
Learners may mix this sense with invasive medical procedures and say things like *"an invasive operation"* when they mean the cancer itself is invasive. In medical English, the procedure and the disease can both be called "invasive," but they describe different things: a procedure enters the body; a disease enters and grows into nearby tissue.
Synonyms
spreading (Everyday word that describes movement into new areas, but "invasive" is the more precise medical term for growth into nearby tissues.)
Antonyms
localized (Medical term for a disease that is limited to one area and has not spread into other tissues.)
Collocations
invasive cancer
|invasive tumor
|invasive disease
|locally invasive
Themes
health
|science
Examples
- The biopsy results showed that the patient has invasive breast cancer.
- Early treatment is important before the tumor becomes invasive.
- Invasive cancers are more likely to spread to the lymph nodes.
- The report noted a small but invasive lesion in the lung tissue.
- Non-invasive tumors are usually less dangerous than invasive ones.
Learner examples
- The doctor said it is an invasive cancer, so it has spread.
- An invasive tumor can grow into other parts of the body.
- This type of cancer becomes very serious when it turns invasive.
- Non-invasive cancer is usually easier to treat than invasive cancer.
Grammar
Dictionary form
invasive
IPA
GB/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv/
US/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv/
Syllables & stress
in - vas - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vas)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: invasive
Word family
Expressions
invasive cancer
1/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv kˈænsɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
cancer that has spread locally
Cancer that has grown out of its first place and moved into nearby healthy tissue.
Examples
- The scan confirmed that she has early-stage invasive cancer.
- Invasive cancer usually needs more aggressive treatment than non-invasive cancer.
invasive plant
1/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv plˈænt/
fixed phrase
technical
aggressively spreading non-native plant
A plant from another place that grows and spreads very fast in a new area and causes problems for local plants and animals.
Examples
- Gardeners are asked not to sell or plant invasive plants near the nature reserve.
- The park is fighting several invasive plants that are taking over the wetlands.
invasive procedure
1/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv pɹoʊsˈid͡ʒɚ/
fixed phrase
medical procedure entering the body
A medical test or treatment that goes inside the body, usually by cutting the skin or putting in instruments.
Examples
- The doctor explained the risks of the invasive procedure before asking for consent.
- They decided against the invasive procedure and chose a non-invasive test instead.
invasive species
1/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv spˈiʃiz/
fixed phrase
technical
non-native organism that harms ecosystems
A plant, animal, or other living thing from another place that spreads very fast in a new area and causes problems for the environment or economy.
Examples
- Officials are trying to stop the invasive species from spreading further up the river.
- Global trade has increased the movement of invasive species around the world.
invasive species
1/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv spˈiʃiz/
fixed phrase
non-native species that spreads
A species that spreads in a new place and causes problems.
Examples
- Officials are trying to control an invasive species of plant in the park.
- Invasive species can outcompete native wildlife for food and space.
- Boat owners were warned to clean their equipment to prevent invasive species.
invasive surgery
1/ɪnvˈeɪsɪv sˈɚd͡ʒɚi/
fixed phrase
surgery that cuts into the body
A medical operation where doctors cut the skin and go inside the body.
Examples
- Because it is invasive surgery, you will need several weeks to recover.
- New techniques allow doctors to replace some invasive surgery with simpler treatments.