impure

[ im-pyoor ]

adjective

1. not pure; mixed with extraneous matter, especially of an inferior or contaminating nature:

   impure water and air.

2. modified by admixture, as color.
3. mixed or combined with something else:

   an impure style of architecture.

4. regarded by a religion as unclean, as animals or things.
5. not morally pure or proper; unchaste or obscene:

   impure thoughts.

   Synonyms: licentious, improper, vulgar, coarse

6. marked by foreign and unsuitable or objectionable elements or characteristics, as a style of art or of literary expression.

impure

/ ɪmˈpjʊə /

adjective

1. not pure; combined with something else; tainted or sullied
2. in certain religions
   1. (of persons) ritually unclean and as such debarred from certain religious ceremonies
   2. (of foodstuffs, vessels, etc) debarred from certain religious uses
3. (of a colour) mixed with another colour or with black or white
4. of more than one origin or style, as of architecture or other design

Derived Forms

• imˈpurely, adverb
• imˈpureness, noun

Other Words From

• im·purely adverb
• im·pureness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impure¹

From the Latin word impūrus, dating back to 1530–40. See im- ², pure

Example Sentences

When Devi asks another Dalit family why their home is so far outside the main village, they say it’s because other communities consider them impure.

From Time

They wanted to expel the demons which they believed caused impure thoughts.

From The Daily Beast

You feel guilty if you eat foods you believe to be “impure.”

From The Daily Beast

Much of this has been pure, or more accurately, impure, political theater.

From The Daily Beast

But really, how impure is the desire to garner professional respect and reap enough cash to pay rent and keep making work?

From The Daily Beast

The “bootleg chemistry” results in a drug that is notoriously impure and often contains a lethal mix of toxins.

From The Daily Beast

If it had not been for the high, dome-shaped roof, the air would have grown heavy and impure.

From Project Gutenberg

No, he will doubtless go to some friend who he thinks will tell him, and thus get his young mind tainted with impure thoughts.

From Project Gutenberg

Astonishment and curiosity calmed for a moment the impure ardor of the Crusaders.

From Project Gutenberg

It gave a bluish-black color with impure ferrous sulphate and a dark color with ferric chloride.

From Project Gutenberg

All appeared to be impure gallic acid which had become brown by absorption of oxygen.

From Project Gutenberg