adulterate
[ verb uh-duhl-tuh-reyt; adjective uh-duhl-ter-it, -tuh-reyt ]
/ verb əˈdʌl təˌreɪt; adjective əˈdʌl tər ɪt, -təˌreɪt /
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verb (used with object), a·dul·ter·at·ed, a·dul·ter·at·ing.
to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements; use cheaper, inferior, or less desirable goods in the production of (any professedly genuine article): to adulterate food.
adjective
impure or debased; cheapened in quality or purity.
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Origin of adulterate
OTHER WORDS FROM adulterate
a·dul·ter·a·tor, nounun·a·dul·ter·ate, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH adulterate
adulterer, adulterateDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use adulterate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for adulterate
adulterate
verb (əˈdʌltəˌreɪt)
(tr) to debase by adding inferior materialto adulterate milk with water
adjective (əˈdʌltərɪt, -ˌreɪt)
adulterated; debased or impure
a less common word for adulterous
Derived forms of adulterate
adulteration, nounadulterator, nounWord Origin for adulterate
C16: from Latin adulterāre to corrupt, commit adultery, probably from alter another, hence to approach another, commit adultery
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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