non-invasive
non-in-VAY-siv
/ˌnɒn.ɪnˈveɪ.sɪv/
Not requiring the introduction of instruments into the body or the breaking of the skin.
Highly desirable in medicine because it reduces risk and recovery time.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'invadere' (to go into). The prefix 'non-' negates it, creating a word for procedures that don't 'go into' the body.
Word relationships
- unobtrusive: Unobtrusive means not attracting attention; non-invasive means not entering the body.
- external: External simply means on the outside; non-invasive is a more technical medical term.
- invasive: Requiring entry into the body.
Commonly confused with
- minimally invasive: Minimally invasive involves small cuts; non-invasive involves no cuts at all.
Word family
- invasion (noun): An instance of entering a place.
Collocations
- non-invasive procedure
- non-invasive surgery
- non-invasive testing
- non-invasive monitoring
Example sentences
- "An ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to create images." Medical procedure
- "The development of non-invasive techniques has transformed the patient experience." Medical journal
Memory hook
Non-invasive: No-Invasion of the body. No needles, no knives.
When not to use
Don't use it for social situations (e.g., 'a non-invasive conversation'); use 'unobtrusive' instead.
Fun facts
- MRI is considered the gold standard for non-invasive soft tissue imaging.
Explore more words
benign, unobtrusive, biocompatible, untouched, probing, unbroken
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