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

• imˈpureness, noun
• imˈpurely, adverb

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

But instead of a barrier to keep out the impure, they are means of removing it, of excreting all that “poisons the blood,” to use Trump’s Hitlerian metaphor.

From Salon

Naidu, who was sworn in as the state’s chief minister in June, alleged that the impure laddus were distributed to devotees during Reddy’s term.

From BBC

In this case, the presumption is that most voters share Trump's repulsion for "impure" people whose gender or race falls outside rigid boundaries he has defined for them.

From Salon

Impure fuel can create problems with a ship's engines and power generation.

From BBC

The Nazi dictator spoke of impure Jewish blood “poisoning” Aryan German blood to dehumanize Jews and justify the systemic murder of millions during the Holocaust.

From Washington Times