Impair: meaning, definitions and examples

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impair

[ ɪmˈpɛr ]

^{Context #1}

to cause damage

To impair means to weaken, damage, or make something less effective. It is often used to describe a decrease in the quality or ability of something.

Synonyms

damage, diminish, weaken

Examples of usage

The accident impaired his vision.
Lack of sleep can impair cognitive function.

^{Context #2}

to hinder or interfere with

To impair can also mean to hinder or interfere with the proper functioning of something, such as a process or system.

Synonyms

disrupt, hinder, obstruct

Examples of usage

The storm impaired the delivery of goods.
The strike impaired the company's operations.

Translations

Translations of the word "impair" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prejudicar

🇮🇳 क्षति पहुँचाना

🇩🇪 beeinträchtigen

🇮🇩 merugikan

🇺🇦 пошкоджувати

🇵🇱 uszkadzać

🇯🇵 損なう (そこなう)

🇫🇷 endommager

🇪🇸 perjudicar

🇹🇷 zarar vermek

🇰🇷 손상시키다 (손상시키다)

🇸🇦 يضر

🇨🇿 poškodit

🇸🇰 poškodiť

🇨🇳 损害 (sǔnhài)

🇸🇮 poškodovati

🇮🇸 skaða

🇰🇿 зиян келтіру

🇬🇪 დააზიანო

🇦🇿 zərər vermək

🇲🇽 perjudicar

Word origin

The word 'impair' originated from the Old French word 'empairer', which means 'to make worse'. It entered the English language in the late 14th century. Over time, 'impair' has retained its meaning of causing damage or making something less effective.

See also: pair, paired, pairing, repair, unpaired.