Pervasive
/pərˈveɪsɪv/
Definitions
Present or felt throughout.
/pərˈveɪsɪv/
Present or appearing to be present everywhere; widespread.
The pervasive smell of smoke lingered in the air after the fire.
💡 Simply: Imagine a smell that's *everywhere* – like the delicious scent of cookies baking that fills your whole house. Pervasive is similar, describing something that's so common it's practically in everything.
👶 For kids: When something is all over the place, like when glitter gets on EVERYTHING.
More Examples
The company culture was perceived as too pervasive, demanding employee availability at all times.
A pervasive sense of unease settled over the city as the storm approached.
How It's Used
"The pervasive influence of lobbyists on government policy is a concern."
"Plastic pollution is a pervasive problem in the world's oceans."
"Social media's pervasive presence affects all areas of modern life."
From Latin *pervasus*, past participle of *pervadere* ('to penetrate, spread through'), from *per-* ('through') + *vadere* ('to go').
Used since the 17th century, initially to describe the physical spread of something and later applied to abstract concepts like ideas and influence.
Memory tip
Think of a vase that has water that flows throughout the entire space. *Per* for through, *vas* for vase.
Word Origin
"to penetrate, spread through"