impermeable
Adjective
Hard difficulty
What does “impermeable” mean?
adjective.not allowing fluid to pass through.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in scientific or environmental contexts, emphasizing materials or barriers that prevent the passage of liquids. It implies a strong resistance or impenetrability that goes beyond mere blockage, contrasting with words like "porous," which suggests the allowance of fluid movement.
Common Confusions
Impermeable implies a complete barrier to fluid passage, while permeable usually suggests the ability to allow liquids to pass through freely.
Do not choose impermeable if the context emphasizes permeability or the ability to allow fluid to pass through rather than not allowing fluid to pass through.
Example Sentences
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The jacket was made of impermeable material to block the rain.
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The jacket is impermeable to rain.
Word Parts: How to Remember “impermeable”
Break “impermeable” into its parts: in- (not). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
in-not (Latin)