impacted
Americanadjective
-
tightly or immovably wedged in.
-
Dentistry. noting a tooth so confined in its socket as to be incapable of normal eruption.
-
driven together; tightly packed.
-
densely populated or crowded; overcrowded.
an impacted school district.
adjective
-
(of a tooth) unable to erupt, esp because of being wedged against another tooth below the gum
-
(of a fracture) having the jagged broken ends wedged into each other
Other Word Forms
- nonimpacted adjective
- unimpacted adjective
Etymology
Origin of impacted
First recorded 1675–85; obsolete adjective impact (from Latin impāctus, past participle of impingere “to fasten, cause to collide, strike,” equivalent to im- “in” + pag-, variant stem of pangere “to drive in, plant firmly” + -tus past participle suffix) + -ed 2; see im- 1, impinge
Explanation
If your doctor tells you that something is impacted, that's not a good thing. It means wedged together and unable to move. Wisdom teeth are often impacted, which makes one question how wise they actually are. A fractured bone can be impacted as well, which means the two broken ends are wedged together. Perhaps you could say that your Christmas stocking is so jam packed and impacted with goodies that you can barely pull anything out — but that's about the only non-painful association with the word imaginable.
Vocabulary lists containing impacted
This Week In Words: October 5–11, 2019
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Top Ten Most Relevant Words from the Third Republican Debate, October 28, 2015
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Vocabulary from the Eleventh Republican Debate March 3, 2016
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While there is potential pressure on crop-protection sales due to farmers’ tight budgets, the seed business likely won’t be impacted.
From Barron's • May 1, 2026
Ford did not immediately respond to a reqest for comment on whether high gas prices have impacted its truck sales.
From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026
“Families don’t feel safe. Young women don’t feel safe. Our recreational activities are impacted, our small business economy is impacted.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
"This is a long supply chain and so the war hasn't impacted supplies yet, but prices to make medicines have gone up, and so have transport costs," he says.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
We should care deeply about all people impacted, including people who live in fear of violence, people who are survivors, and those who commit violent crimes.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
