impair

¹

[ im-pair ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage:

   to impair one's health;

   to impair negotiations.

   Antonyms: repair

verb (used without object)

1. to grow or become worse; lessen.

noun

1. Archaic. impairment.

impair

²

[ an-per ]

adjective

, French.

1. noting any odd number, especially in roulette. Compare pair.

impair

/ ɪmˈpɛə /

verb

1. tr to reduce or weaken in strength, quality, etc

   his hearing was impaired by an accident

Derived Forms

• imˈpairment, noun
• imˈpairer, noun
• imˈpairable, adjective

Other Words From

• im·paira·ble adjective
• im·pairer noun
• im·pairment noun
• nonim·pairment noun
• preim·pairment noun
• self-im·paira·ble adjective
• self-im·pairing adjective
• unim·paira·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of impair¹

C14: from Old French empeirer to make worse, from Late Latin pējorāre, from Latin pejor worse; see pejorative

Synonym Study

See injure.

Example Sentences

Nearly 20% of the world's population is at risk for zinc deficiency, which can impair immune function and is a major risk factor for pneumonia.

From Science Daily

The study also demonstrated that inhibiting PRDX6 could impair cancer cell survival, especially in neuroblastomas, offering a new potential therapeutic target.

From Science Daily

She now has a boyfriend who is also visually impaired.

From BBC

Another student said it would be "really cool if someone who is visually impaired like us" won the competition.

From BBC

Zac Shaw, a Paralympic visually impaired sprinter, called it "hurtful" and said it was part of a "wider issue" in how disabled athletes are treated.

From BBC

Related Words

• blunt
• damage
• debilitate
• decrease
• destroy
• diminish
• hurt
• lessen
• mar
• prejudice
• reduce
• spoil
• tarnish
• undermine
• weaken
• worsen