Etymology
Origin of impotence
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, variant of impotencie, from Latin impotentia “lack of self-control, weakness”; see -ence, im- 2, potency
Explanation
Impotence is the state of being weak or unable to accomplish something, like the impotence of a broom in clearing a foot of snow from your sidewalk. The noun impotence comes from the Latin impotentia, meaning “lack of control or power.” Though its most common definition is "the condition of not being physically able to have sexual intercourse," impotence can be any kind of physical weakness or ineffectiveness. You might present a very unconvincing argument. The impotence of your message may lead to not a single person agreeing with you.
Vocabulary lists containing impotence
The Bluest Eye
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A Very Large Expanse of Sea
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One Hundred Years of Solitude
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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.
It merged with a part of Pfizer that owned off-patent former blockbuster drugs for cholesterol, impotence, arthritis, and depression.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
It simply emphasised that Arsenal's impotence at one end leaves them increasingly vulnerable at the other.
From BBC • Mar. 9, 2025
Men do not face a binary choice between power, birthright and dignity on one hand, and emasculation and impotence on the other.
From Salon • Sep. 1, 2024
In fact, despite all of DeLillo’s fascination with terrorism and death cults and the impotence of the individual swept up in unstoppable social forces, I’ve never considered him to be an especially paranoid writer.
From New York Times • May 22, 2024
At dusk the drums of calamity began; their grave, throbbing rhythm came clearly through the night, throughout the night, each beat, each tattoo, echoing the mighty impotence of our human endeavour.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
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.
