adjective
impure
ihm-PYOOR
Impure (adjective) means Mixed with substances that shouldn't be there; not clean or refined. Example: “The water from the well was impure and had to be boiled before drinking.”
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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- impures
- Past tense
- impured
- Comparative
- more impure
- Superlative
- most impure
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The water from the well was _____ and had to be boiled before drinking.
Etymology
From Middle French impur, from Latin impūrus.
Related words
Rhymes for impure
See all rhymes for impure →Frequently asked questions
What does “impure” mean?
The word “impure” means mixed with substances that shouldn't be there; not clean or refined. In plain terms, not pure — either physically contaminated or morally tainted.
How do you pronounce “impure”?
“Impure” is pronounced ihm-PYOOR (/ɪmˈpjʊə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “impure” in a sentence?
Here is “impure” used in a sentence: “The water from the well was impure and had to be boiled before drinking.”
What is another word for “impure”?
Words with a similar meaning to “impure” include imperfect and tainted.
What is the opposite of “impure”?
The opposite of “impure” — its antonyms — are pure and raw.
What part of speech is “impure”?
“Impure” is an adjective.
Where does the word “impure” come from?
The word “impure” comes from Latin. From Middle French impur, from Latin impūrus.
How many meanings does “impure” have?
“Impure” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: mixed with substances that shouldn't be there; not clean or refined.
