impure

adjective

im·​pure (ˌ)im-ˈpyu̇r How to pronounce impure (audio)
: not pure: such as
a
: containing something unclean : foul
impure water
b
: mixed or impregnated with an extraneous and usually unwanted substance
an impure chemical
c
d
: ritually unclean
impurely adverb
impureness noun

Examples of impure in a Sentence

be careful, because impure motor oil can damage your car's engine Victorian notions of what qualified as impure art now strike us as laughable.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wad, perhaps the most abundant, is a dark-brown-to-black, very soft, earthy mineral that is commonly considered an impure hydrous oxide of manganese. arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024 If impure quartz is used, the outside materials can hamper the effectiveness of the transistor. Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024 There was also the upset about Ryan, who shows her breasts—a sweetheart made impure through pulp fiction. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2024 But to pursue a state of purity—even a fictional one; even a made-up, obviously impure one—still feels righteous. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impure 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impure was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near impure

Cite this Entry

“Impure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impure. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

impure

adjective
im·​pure (ˈ)im-ˈpyu̇(ə)r How to pronounce impure (audio)
1
: not pure : unclean, dirty
2
: mixed with something else that is usually not as good
an impure chemical
impurely adverb

Medical Definition

impure

adjective
im·​pure (ˈ)im-ˈpyu̇(ə)r How to pronounce impure (audio)
: not pure: as
a
: containing something unclean
impure water
b
: mixed or impregnated with an extraneous and usually unwanted substance : adulterated
an impure chemical

More from Merriam-Webster on impure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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