impair
1 Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
adjective
verb
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 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 )
Origin of impair2
First recorded in 1820–30; from French: literally, “odd,” from Latin impār “odd, unequal”; equivalent to im- 2 ( def. ) + pair 2 ( def. )
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.
A blind couple from Scarborough have said they hope the story of their upcoming marriage can inspire other visually impaired people who are nervous about dating.
From BBC
A hearing earlier this week by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service ruled her fitness to practice was impaired and she should be struck off.
From BBC
His eyesight remains partially impaired, comparable to "looking through a telescope".
From BBC
"Climate change is increasing the frequency of hot nights, which may independently contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by impairing sleep and autonomic recovery," he said.
From Science Daily
But the current mood of investors seems to be to presume that software credits could be impaired until their performance can demonstrate otherwise.
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.
