impure

im·pure

adj \(ˌ)im-ˈpyu̇r\

Definition of IMPURE

: not pure: as a : lewd, unchaste b : containing something unclean : foul <impure water> c : ritually unclean d : mixed or impregnated with an extraneous and usually unwanted substance <an impure chemical>

— im·pure·ly adverb

— im·pure·ness noun

Examples of IMPURE

1. <be careful, because impure motor oil can damage your car's engine>
2. <Victorian notions of what qualified as impure art now strike us as laughable.>

Origin of IMPURE

Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin impurus, from in- + purus pure

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to IMPURE

Synonyms: adulterate, adulterated, alloyed, contaminated, dilute, diluted, polluted, tainted, thinned, weakened

Antonyms: fine, pure, ultrapure, unadulterated, unalloyed, uncontaminated, uncut, undiluted, unmixed, unpolluted, untainted

Related Words: unclarified, unfiltered, unrefined; befouled, begrimed, bemired, besmirched, corrupted, debased, defiled, dirtied, fouled, maculate (or maculated), soiled, spoiled, sullied; blended, commingled, incorporated, intermingled, intermixed, merged, mingled, mixed; coalesced, combined, compounded; cheapened, doctored

Near Antonyms: clarified, filtered, purified, refined, ultrarefined; neat, plain, straight; concentrated, strong; uncombined; pasteurized; sterile, sterilized; clean, immaculate, spotless, stainless, unsoiled, unsullied

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Rhymes with IMPURE

abjure, adjure, Adour, allure, amour, Ashur, assure, brochure, ceinture, cocksure, coiffure, conjure, contour, couture, demure, detour, dirt-poor, endure, ensure, faubourg, for sure, Fraktur, grandeur, gravure, guipure, hachure, immure, insure, inure, kultur, land-poor, langur, ligure, manure, mature, mohur, obscure, parure, perdure, procure, rondure, secure, siddur, tambour, tandoor, tenure, Uighur, unmoor, velour, velure