Impure — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /(ˌ)im-ˈpyu̇r/ im·pure

Meaning & Definition of Impure

Impure (adjective)

  1. not pure
  2. containing something unclean, foul
  3. mixed or impregnated with an extraneous and usually unwanted substance

Impure (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. containing foreign or lower-grade substances

    "be careful, because impure motor oil can damage your car's engine"

    similar: adulterate, adulterated, alloyed, contaminated, dilute, diluted, polluted, tainted, thinned, weakened
    related: unclarified, unfiltered, unrefined, befouled, begrimed, bemired, besmirched, corrupted, debased, defiled, dirtied, fouled, maculate, soiled, spoiled, sullied, blended, commingled, incorporated, intermingled, intermixed, merged, mingled, mixed, coalesced, combined, compounded, cheapened, doctored
    opposite: fine, pure, ultrapure, unadulterated, unalloyed, uncontaminated, uncut, undiluted, unmixed, unpolluted, untainted
    near: clarified, filtered, purified, refined, ultrarefined, neat, plain, straight, concentrated, strong, uncombined, pasteurized, sterile, sterilized, clean, immaculate, spotless, stainless, unsoiled, unsullied

  2. depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society

    "Victorian notions of what qualified as impure art now strike us as laughable"

    similar: bawdy, blue, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, gutter, indecent, lascivious, lewd, locker-room, nasty, obscene, pornographic, porny, profane, raunchy, ribald, smutty, stag, trashy, unprintable, vulgar, wanton, X-rated
    related: broad, coarse-grained, gamy, off, off-color, racy, risqué, salacious, salty, suggestive, barnyard, earthy, scatological, immodest, indecorous, indelicate, low, unbecoming, depraved, kinky, louche, naughty, perverse, perverted, wicked, exceptionable, objectionable, unacceptable, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, abhorrent, debasing, disgusting, loathsome, offensive, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, distasteful, obnoxious, unpleasant, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible, atrocious, infamous, abusive, scurrilous, hard-core, soft, soft-core
    opposite: clean, decent, G-rated, nonobscene, wholesome
    near: priggish, prim, prudish, puritanical, staid, straitlaced, Victorian, correct, decorous, genteel, nice, polite, proper, respectable, seemly, innocuous, inoffensive, acceptable, agreeable, desirable, pleasant, pleasing, welcome, appropriate, becoming, fit, meet, suitable, immaculate, perfect, pure, spotless, virginal, approved, endorsed, sanctioned

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Impure

The most common words with a similar meaning to Impure:

adulterate, adulterated, alloyed, contaminated, dilute, diluted, polluted, tainted, thinned, weakened, bawdy, blue, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, gutter, indecent, lascivious, lewd, locker-room, nasty, obscene, pornographic, porny, profane, raunchy, ribald, smutty, stag, trashy, unprintable, vulgar, wanton, X-rated

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Impure

Words with the opposite meaning of Impure:

fine, pure, ultrapure, unadulterated, unalloyed, uncontaminated, uncut, undiluted, unmixed, unpolluted, untainted, clean, decent, G-rated, nonobscene, wholesome

Related Words for Impure

unclarified, unfiltered, unrefined, befouled, begrimed, bemired, besmirched, corrupted, debased, defiled, dirtied, fouled, maculate, soiled, spoiled, sullied, blended, commingled, incorporated, intermingled, intermixed, merged, mingled, mixed, coalesced, combined, compounded, cheapened, doctored, broad

Near Antonyms of Impure

clarified, filtered, purified, refined, ultrarefined, neat, plain, straight, concentrated, strong, uncombined, pasteurized, sterile, sterilized, immaculate, spotless, stainless, unsoiled, unsullied, priggish, prim, prudish, puritanical, staid, straitlaced, Victorian, correct, decorous, genteel, nice

Word Forms of Impure

Derived words: impurely (adverb), impureness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Impure

Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin impurus, from in- + purus pure

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Impure

What does "Impure" mean?

"Impure" means not pure. As an adjective, it is defined as: not pure. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Impure"?

Other words for "Impure" include adulterate, adulterated, alloyed, contaminated, dilute, diluted, polluted and tainted. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Impure" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Impure"?

There are 120 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Impure". Common alternatives include adulterate, adulterated, alloyed, contaminated, dilute, diluted, polluted, tainted, thinned and weakened.

What is the opposite of "Impure"?

Antonyms of "Impure" include fine, pure, ultrapure, unadulterated, unalloyed, uncontaminated, uncut and undiluted. Near antonyms include clarified, filtered, purified and refined.

How do you use "Impure" in a sentence?

Examples of "Impure" in a sentence: "be careful, because impure motor oil can damage your car's engine"; "Victorian notions of what qualified as impure art now strike us as laughable".

Is "Impure" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Impure" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Impure"?

"Impure" is pronounced /(ˌ)im-ˈpyu̇r/ and divided into syllables as im·pure.

What is the origin of the word "Impure"?

"Impure" comes from Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin impurus, from in- + purus pure. First known use: 15th century.