pervasive
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- interpervasive adjective
- interpervasively adverb
- nonpervasive adjective
- nonpervasively adverb
- pervasively adverb
- pervasiveness noun
- unpervasive adjective
- unpervasively adverb
Etymology
Origin of pervasive
First recorded in 1730–40; equivalent to Latin pervās(us), past participle of pervādere “to pass through” + -ive ( def. ); pervade ( def. )
Explanation
When something is pervasive, it's everywhere. Common things are pervasive — like greed and cheap perfume. Ever notice how certain trends seem to spread all over the place? When something — like a hairstyle — is super-common, it's pervasive. Pervasive things can't be escaped. Playing video games is pervasive among kids. Talking about the weather is pervasive among adults. Ideas, diseases, habits, and all sorts of things can be pervasive. If you're sick of seeing something because you're seeing it again and again, it must be pervasive.
Vocabulary lists containing pervasive
List 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The film explores fear — a sentiment Lapid believes is pervasive today.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
“AI washing is pervasive right now,” says J.P.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
Mitu Gulati explains how the pervasive use of boilerplate contracts is creating a legal crisis.
From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026
Hanson, who spends much of his life crawling through underbrush to count trees, plunged ahead into stands of chest-high ceanothus, pointing out sequoias camouflaged in the pervasive post-fire brush.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
No. The panic was instant, pervasive in Ekon’s mind.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
