Contaminated: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used in scientific, medical, or environmental contexts where substances have been made unsafe by the addition of harmful or poisonous materials.

• The water supply was contaminated by industrial waste
• The laboratory instruments were contaminated and needed sterilization

Often used in environmental contexts to indicate that air, water, or soil has been made dirty or harmful by human activities, like industrial emissions or waste disposal.

• The river is so polluted that it's unsafe to swim in it
• The city has taken steps to reduce air pollution from factories

This word can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally, it refers to substances that are spoiled or affected negatively. Figuratively, it implies corruption or damage to someone's reputation.

• The meat was tainted and had to be discarded
• His otherwise good record was tainted by the scandal

Primarily used to describe substances that are not in their pure form due to the presence of other unwanted materials. Also sometimes used metaphorically for moral or ethical impurity.

• The gold was found to be impure and contained traces of other metals
• She felt her thoughts were impure and sought forgiveness

Used when something has been made impure by contact with harmful or unwanted substances.

• The water supply was contaminated by chemicals from the factory

Used to describe the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.

• The oil spill severely polluted the ocean

Used specifically to describe the spread of disease or bacteria to a host.

• The patient was infected with a rare virus

Used when something is negatively affected or spoiled, often in a moral or figurative sense.

• The scandal tainted his reputation