English vocabulary · B2
Pervasive
/pərˈveɪsɪv/ · adj.
It means spreading through everything — present in every place and every part. Nothing is left untouched.
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Example sentences
- Stress is pervasive in big cities, affecting daily life.
- A pervasive smell of smoke filled every room.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- per — through (from Latin)
- vas — go (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- WIDESPREAD — found in many places (Covers a Large Area)
- UNIVERSAL — applying to all people (True for Everyone)
- RAMPANT — spreading in a bad way (Out of Control)
Words with the same root
vas — go
- pervade — to spread through everything
- invasion — a forced entry into a place
Lesson notes
Pervasive. It means spreading through everything — present in every place and every part. Nothing is left untouched.
Similar words are widespread, universal, and rampant. Use pervasive when something has spread into every part of a place or situation.
Stress is pervasive in big cities, affecting every part of daily life. A pervasive smell of smoke filled every room in the building.
From Latin. per- means through. vas- means go. Going through everything: that is pervasive.