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definitions

impair

1
[ im-pair ]
/ ɪmˈpɛər /
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verb (used with object)

to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage: to impair one's health; to impair negotiations.

verb (used without object)

to grow or become worse; lessen.

noun

Archaic. impairment.

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RELATED WORDS

reduce, mar, decrease, worsen, debilitate, lessen, damage, hurt, tarnish, prejudice, spoil, destroy, diminish, blunt, undermine, weaken, ding, invalidate, cheapen, blemish

Nearby words

  1. impacter,
  2. impactful,
  3. impaction,
  4. impactite,
  5. impactive,
  6. impaired,
  7. impairment,
  8. impala,
  9. impale,
  10. impalement

Origin of impair

1
1250–1300; Middle English empairen, empeiren to make worse < Middle French empeirer, equivalent to em- im-1 + peirer to make worse < Late Latin pējōrāre, equivalent to Latin pējōr-, stem of pējor worse + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive suffix; cf. pejorative
Related forms

Definition for impair (2 of 2)

impair

2
[ an-per ]
/ ɛ̃ˈpɛr /

adjective French.

noting any odd number, especially in roulette.
Compare pair.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impair

British Dictionary definitions for impair

impair

/ (ɪmˈpɛə) /

verb

(tr) to reduce or weaken in strength, quality, etchis hearing was impaired by an accident
Derived Formsimpairable, adjectiveimpairer, nounimpairment, noun

Word Origin for impair

C14: from Old French empeirer to make worse, from Late Latin pējorāre, from Latin pejor worse; see pejorative
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012