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Glite Dictionary
pervious

pervious

1 7.8
To let water, light, or air pass through
  • adjective
  • /ˈpɜrviəs/
translation icon : permeable
  • At this site, however, stormwater is managed with bio-retention basins, swales, green roof systems, and pervious pavement.
  • pervious concrete

Examples

  • Glaspey has been at the forefront in developing the proper tools and construction methods for pervious concrete.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Many of the tools developed by Glaspey are being used in the placing and finishing of pervious concrete today.

    Academic text (2016)

  • The park features pervious pathways that allow rainwater to soak into the ground.

  • The new roofing system is designed to be pervious, ensuring that rainwater drains effectively.

  • Using pervious materials in urban planning helps reduce flooding by allowing water to permeate the surface.

Synonyms

porous
vspervious
23 4.6

Full of small holes that let water or air pass through

allows passage of substances without naming holes or structure specifically
permeable
vspervious
4 5.8

A material that lets water or air pass through it

is identical in meaning and used interchangeably in general contexts

Antonyms

impervious
28 7.5

Not letting water pass through and not changed by words

How Permeable

porous
23 4.6
pervious
1 7.8
semipermeable
  • Specialized
1 7.0
impermeable
4 6.6

Surface Forms

pervious positive
perviouser comparative
perviousest superlative

Morphology

pervious = perv + ious

The adjective is formed with the productive suffix '-ious' on a Latin-derived stem meaning 'through' (per- + via), but the stem 'perv' is not a standalone English word, so learners may only partially infer the meaning.

Etymology

Pervious comes from the parts per- and via, which mean 'through' and 'way'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of via ('way') or the common word permeable; pervious describes something that lets water, air, or light pass 'through' it.