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impervious

Adjective

IPA /ɪmˈpɜːviəs/

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Meaning in plain English

Not affected or influenced by something, even when it would normally change a person's feelings or behaviour.

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Pronunciation

impervious/ɪmˈpɜːviəs/

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Others criticise and tease
The person is unaffected
Their attitude remains unchanged

Someone impervious to criticism is not influenced by it.

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He remained impervious to their teasing and calmly finished his meal.
The director seemed impervious to criticism of the new policy.

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He remained ________ to their teasing and calmly finished his meal.

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impervious — Not affected or influenced by something, even when it would normally change a person's feelings or behaviour.

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Not affected or influenced by something, even when it would normally change a person's feelings or behaviour.

Compare: He remained impervious to their teasing and calmly finished his meal.

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Word origin

From Latin impervius, meaning not allowing passage, with the adjective ending -ous.

Did you know?

Impervious is commonly followed by to: impervious to criticism, pressure or persuasion.

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