impair

¹

[an-per]

adjective

French.

1. noting any odd number, especially in roulette.

impair

²

[im-pair]

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

verb (used without object)

1. to grow or become worse; lessen.

noun

1. Archaic.,  impairment.

impair

/ ɪmˈpɛə /

verb

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

   his hearing was impaired by an accident

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

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 impair²

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of impair¹

C14: from Old French empeirer to make worse, from Late Latin pējorāre, from Latin pejor worse; see _pejorative

Synonym Study

See injure.

Example Sentences

“This is the first-ever World Cup for blind women... I think this is one of the biggest opportunities for our entire visually impaired girls,” said Shetty, who is not blind.

Read more on Barron's

Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal, but there's a medical exemption providing patients have followed the dosages prescribed and do not feel impaired.

Read more on BBC

He does seem faintly impaired, or at least like a mean old man.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“All of that economic data will be permanently impaired,” Leavitt said, blaming Democrats’ refusal to agree to the administration’s budget demands.

Read more on Salon

The researchers suggested that e-cigarette use may temporarily impair insulin function and contribute to weight gain, both of which are tied to prediabetes.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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