pervasive
puh-VAY-sihv
Pervasive (adjective) means present or spreading throughout something; affecting every part of it. Example: “A pervasive smell of smoke hung over the whole building.”
adjective
1
Present or spreading throughout something; affecting every part of it.
"A pervasive smell of smoke hung over the whole building."
"Pervasive doubt about the economy kept investors on edge."
How to use pervasive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSpread through and through — showing up everywhere in something.
Common pairings
pervasive influence
pervasive sense of
deeply pervasive
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more pervasive
- Superlative
- most pervasive
Fill the gap
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A _____ smell of smoke hung over the whole building.
Etymology
From Latin pervasus, past participle of pervadere ("to spread through"), from per- ("through") + vadere ("to go, walk").
Synonyms
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permeant
permeating
permeative
Rhymes for pervasive
See all rhymes for pervasive →Frequently asked questions
What does “pervasive” mean?
The word “pervasive” means present or spreading throughout something; affecting every part of it. In plain terms, spread through and through — showing up everywhere in something.
How do you pronounce “pervasive”?
“Pervasive” is pronounced puh-VAY-sihv (/pɚˈveɪ.sɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “pervasive” in a sentence?
Here is “pervasive” used in a sentence: “A pervasive smell of smoke hung over the whole building.”
What part of speech is “pervasive”?
“Pervasive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pervasive” come from?
The word “pervasive” comes from Latin. From Latin pervasus, past participle of pervadere ("to spread through"), from per- ("through") + vadere ("to go, walk").
Is “pervasive” a common word?
“Pervasive” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
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