adjective
impure
ihm-PYOOR
adjective
1
Mixed with substances that shouldn't be there; not clean or refined.
"The water from the well was impure and had to be boiled before drinking."
2
Morally wrong, especially in a sexual sense, according to some standard of decency.
"The sermon warned against impure thoughts and actions."
How to Use Impure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot pure — either physically contaminated or morally tainted.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
impure substance
impure thoughts
ritually impure
Word Forms
more impure comparative, impured past tense, impures singular, most impure superlative
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Etymology
From Middle French impur, from Latin impūrus.