impurity

noun

im·​pu·​ri·​ty (ˌ)im-ˈpyu̇r-ə-tē 

plural impurities

1

: something that is impure or makes something else impure

removing impurities from water

2

: the quality or state of being impure

Synonyms

• adulterant
• contaminant
• contamination
• defilement
• pollutant

Examples of impurity in a Sentence

the impurity of the water

The syrup is strained to remove impurities.

The water is free of impurities.

Recent Examples on the Web

The agency also closely oversees the production of synthetic food dyes, checking for impurities that might result in a safety risk. —Paula Cohen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025

Thanks to impurities lodged within minerals, the rocks start to glow in vivid shades of pink, blue, yellow and green. —David Bressan, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

In contrast, impurities in lunar dust give moonglass a slight tiny from the start—which stabilizes the material, preventing further darkening and also making the cells resistant to damaging radiation. —Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

The science lies in its APG Cleansing Complex, a mild yet effective system that removes makeup, dirt, and impurities without stripping the skin. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for impurity

• maturity
• obscurity
• security
• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• purity
• surety

Kids Definition

impurity

noun

im·​pu·​ri·​ty (ˈ)im-ˈpyu̇r-ət-ē 

plural impurities

1

: the quality or state of being impure

2

: something that is impure or that makes impure

remove impurities from water

Medical Definition

impurity

noun

im·​pu·​ri·​ty (ˈ)im-ˈpyu̇r-ət-ē 

plural impurities

: something that is impure or makes something else impure