impair

¹ American  

[an-per] / ɛ̃ˈpɛr /

adjective

French.

1. noting any odd number, especially in roulette.

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impair ² American  

[im-pair] / ɪmˈpɛər /

verb (used with object)

1. to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage.

   to impair one's health;

   to impair negotiations.

   Antonyms:

   repair

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verb (used without object)

1. to grow or become worse; lessen.

noun

1. Archaic. impairment.

impair British  

/ ɪmˈpɛə /

verb

1. (tr) to reduce or weaken in strength, quality, etc

   his hearing was impaired by an accident

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Related Words

See injure.

Other Word Forms

• impairable adjective
• impairer noun
• impairment noun
• nonimpairment noun
• preimpairment noun
• self-impairable adjective
• self-impairing adjective
• unimpairable adjective

Etymology

Origin of impair¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from French: literally, “odd,” from Latin impār “odd, unequal”; equivalent to im- ² ( def. ) + pair ² ( def. )

Origin of impair¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English empairen, empeiren “to make worse,” from Middle French empeirer, from em- im- ¹ + peirer “to make worse” (from Late Latin pējōrāre, verb derivative of Latin pējor “worse”; pejoration )

Example Sentences

But the current mood of investors seems to be to presume that software credits could be impaired until their performance can demonstrate otherwise.

From The Wall Street Journal

Banks’ asset quality and profitability should outperform earlier forecasts due to lower impaired loan ratios and credit costs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Male mice developed severe fatty liver disease along with impaired liver function, which is considered an important indicator of metabolic illness.

From Science Daily

If she’s physically impaired, but not mentally incapacitated, she can make her own decisions.

From MarketWatch

Oil supply in Libya and Kazakhstan have been impaired, but there are signs of easing, the commodity analyst adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blunt
• damage
• debilitate
• decrease
• destroy
• diminish
• hurt
• lessen
• mar
• prejudice
• reduce
• spoil
• tarnish
• undermine
• weaken
• worsen