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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- impurities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Filtering removes _____ from the drinking water.
Etymology
From impure plus the noun-forming suffix -ity, ultimately from Latin impuritas.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for impurity
See all rhymes for impurity →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.
