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impair

im·pair
I i

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [im-pair]
    • /ɪmˈpɛər/
    • /ɪmˈpeər/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [im-pair]
    • /ɪmˈpɛər/

Definitions of impair word

  • verb with object impair to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage: to impair one's health; to impair negotiations. 1
  • verb without object impair to grow or become worse; lessen. 1
  • noun impair Archaic. impairment. 1
  • adjective impair noting any odd number, especially in roulette. 1
  • noun impair Weaken or damage something (especially a human faculty or function). 1
  • verb impair If something impairs something such as an ability or the way something works, it damages it or makes it worse. 0

Information block about the term

Origin of impair

First appearance:

before 1250
One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English empairen, empeiren to make worse < Middle French empeirer, equivalent to em- im-1 + peirer to make worse < Late Latin pējōrāre, equivalent to Latin pējōr-, stem of pējor worse + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive suffix; cf. pejorative

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Impair

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

impair popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

impair usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for impair

verb impair

  • reduce — to bring down to a smaller extent, size, amount, number, etc.: to reduce one's weight by 10 pounds.
  • mar — to damage or spoil to a certain extent; render less perfect, attractive, useful, etc.; impair or spoil: That billboard mars the view. The holiday was marred by bad weather.
  • decrease — When something decreases or when you decrease it, it becomes less in quantity, size, or intensity.
  • worsen — Make or become worse.
  • debilitate — If you are debilitated by something such as an illness, it causes your body or mind to become gradually weaker.

Antonyms for impair

verb impair

  • grow — to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.
  • increase — to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to: to increase taxes.
  • invigorate — to give vigor to; fill with life and energy; energize.
  • aid — Aid is money, equipment, or services that are provided for people, countries, or organizations who need them but cannot provide them for themselves.
  • heal — to make healthy, whole, or sound; restore to health; free from ailment.

Top questions with impair

  • which of the following will impair iron absorption?
  • what does alcohol first impair?
  • what does impair mean?
  • what does alcohol impair?
  • what is impair?
  • how does alcohol impair driving?
  • why does alcohol impair judgement?

See also

Matching words

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