verb
impale
ihm-PAYL
Impale (verb) means to pierce something through with a long, pointed object. Example: “The fence post impaled the tire as the car skidded off the road.”
verb
1
To pierce something through with a long, pointed object.
"The fence post impaled the tire as the car skidded off the road."
2
Historically, to kill someone by driving a stake through their body.
"The tyrant was infamous for ordering his enemies impaled."
How to use impale
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pierce something all the way through with something sharp and pointed.
Common pairings
impaled on a spike
impale someone
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- impales
- Past tense
- impaled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fence post _____ the tire as the car skidded off the road.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin impalare, from Latin palus, "stake" — the same root as pale (a fence post).
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for impale
See all rhymes for impale →Frequently asked questions
What does “impale” mean?
The word “impale” means to pierce something through with a long, pointed object. In plain terms, to pierce something all the way through with something sharp and pointed.
How do you pronounce “impale”?
“Impale” is pronounced ihm-PAYL (/ɪmˈpeɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “impale” in a sentence?
Here is “impale” used in a sentence: “The fence post impaled the tire as the car skidded off the road.”
What is another word for “impale”?
Words with a similar meaning to “impale” include empierce, pierce, puncture and transpierce.
What part of speech is “impale”?
“Impale” is a verb.
Where does the word “impale” come from?
The word “impale” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin impalare, from Latin palus, "stake" — the same root as pale (a fence post).
How many meanings does “impale” have?
“Impale” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pierce something through with a long, pointed object.
