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noun

impurity

ihm-PYIH-tee

Impurity (noun) means a substance mixed into something that makes it less pure or of lower quality. Example: “The gold had to be refined to remove trace impurities.”

noun
1
A substance mixed into something that makes it less pure or of lower quality.
"The gold had to be refined to remove trace impurities."
2
The state or quality of being impure, whether physically or morally.
"Filtering removes impurity from the drinking water."

How to use impurity

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the unwanted stuff mixed into something, or the general state of not being pure.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
trace impurities remove impurities skin impurities

Word forms

impurities plural

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Filtering removes _____ from the drinking water.

Etymology

From impure plus the noun-forming suffix -ity, ultimately from Latin impuritas.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for impurity

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Frequently asked questions

What does “impurity” mean?

The word “impurity” means a substance mixed into something that makes it less pure or of lower quality. In plain terms, either the unwanted stuff mixed into something, or the general state of not being pure.

How do you pronounce “impurity”?

“Impurity” is pronounced ihm-PYIH-tee (/ɪmˈpjɝɪti/ in IPA).

How do you use “impurity” in a sentence?

Here is “impurity” used in a sentence: “Filtering removes impurity from the drinking water.”

What part of speech is “impurity”?

“Impurity” is a noun.

Where does the word “impurity” come from?

The word “impurity” comes from Latin. From impure plus the noun-forming suffix -ity, ultimately from Latin impuritas.

How many meanings does “impurity” have?

“Impurity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance mixed into something that makes it less pure or of lower quality.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial