invasive

Everyday

1. An invasive plant or animal spreads into a place where it does not belong and harms the plants and animals already living there. tree →
2. An invasive illness, such as some cancers, spreads into other parts of the body. tree →
3. An invasive medical test or operation goes inside the body, by cutting or putting something in. tree →
4. Invasive questions or actions go too far into someone's private life. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography: «invasive species» like cane toads in Australia, grey squirrels in the UK, Japanese knotweed. In health: «non-invasive test». In everyday life: «invasive questions», privacy online. It tells the reader that something pushes in where it should not.

Examples

• Cane toads are an invasive species in Australia. tree →
• Grey squirrels are invasive in Britain and push out red squirrels. tree →
• The doctor said the scan is non-invasive and will not hurt. tree →
• Asking how much money someone earns can feel invasive. tree →
• Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant that is hard to remove. tree →
• Invasive weeds choked the pond. tree →
• Some apps collect invasive amounts of data. tree →

Note

From the verb «invade». Opposite: non-invasive, native (for species). Pronounced in-VAY-siv.