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Impairment: meaning, definitions and examples

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impairment

 

[ɪmˈper.mənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

physical

The condition of being damaged or weakened in a specific way.

Synonyms

deficiency, disability, impediment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impairment

Commonly used to describe a loss or abnormality of mental, physical, or sensory function.

  • His hearing impairment made it difficult for him to follow conversations in noisy environments
disability

Used in a broader sense to indicate a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities.

  • She has a learning disability, but with the right support, she excels in her studies
deficiency

Typically refers to a lack or shortage of something, particularly essential nutrients or elements.

  • Vitamin D deficiency can lead to serious health problems such as bone disorders
impediment

Generally refers to something that obstructs or hinders progress or movement, can also be used for specific speech-related issues.

  • His severe speech impediment made it hard for him to communicate effectively
  • The broken bridge was a major impediment to the flow of traffic

Examples of usage

  • His impairment was a result of the accident.
  • She has a visual impairment that requires glasses.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

The act of making something weaker or worse.

Synonyms

degradation, deterioration, weakening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impairment

Typically used in medical or technical contexts to describe a reduction in ability or function.

  • The patient has a visual impairment that makes reading difficult
  • The software has an impairment that causes it to crash frequently
deterioration

Utilized to talk about the gradual decline in quality, condition, or function, often related to physical health, buildings, or other tangible items.

  • The old building shows significant deterioration
  • Her health has been in a state of gradual deterioration
weakening

Commonly used in both literal and metaphorical contexts to talk about something becoming less strong or less effective.

  • The weakening of the immune system left her vulnerable to infections
  • The country's weakening currency is a major issue
degradation

Often used to describe the process of something becoming worse in quality, especially in terms of environment, technology, or moral values.

  • The degradation of the forest due to logging is a serious concern
  • Over time, the materials showed signs of degradation

Examples of usage

  • The impairment of his driving ability led to the accident.
  • The impairment of the contract resulted in a legal dispute.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'impairare,' meaning 'to make worse.'
  • It made its way into Middle English, borrowing from Old French, where 'empeirer' also means 'to make worse or impair.'

Medicine

  • Impairment can refer to physical disabilities, like difficulty in walking, or cognitive issues, such as memory problems.
  • Common causes of impairment might include injury, age-related decline, or diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Psychology

  • Cognitive impairments can affect learning and processing information, leading to challenges in everyday functioning.
  • Mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, can also result in temporary impairments in cognitive abilities.

Legal Context

  • In legal terms, impairment may be used in discussions of personal injury or disability rights.
  • Organizations often use the concept of impairment to define eligibility for services or support.

Pop Culture

  • Media often depict characters overcoming impairments, such as in films about disability or mental health challenges, highlighting courage and resilience.
  • Popular music sometimes addresses themes of emotional or mental impairment, reflecting societal issues.

Translations

Translations of the word "impairment" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prejuízo

🇮🇳 हानि

🇩🇪 Beeinträchtigung

🇮🇩 kerugian

🇺🇦 збиток

🇵🇱 uszkodzenie

🇯🇵 損傷 (そんしょう)

🇫🇷 déficience

🇪🇸 deterioro

🇹🇷 bozulma

🇰🇷 손상 (손상)

🇸🇦 ضعف

🇨🇿 poškození

🇸🇰 poškodenie

🇨🇳 损害 (sǔnhài)

🇸🇮 poškodba

🇮🇸 skerðing

🇰🇿 зақымдану

🇬🇪 დაზიანება

🇦🇿 zərər

🇲🇽 deterioro

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,572 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.