noun
A substance that makes another substance less pure.
The water was tested for chemical impurities.
Common phrases & grammar
chemical impurities · remove impurities
American English
How to pronounce impurity
nounB2
ihmpyeruhdee
/ɪm.pjɚ.ə.ɾi/
4 syllables.
A substance that makes another substance less pure.
What to listen for
The middle sound in “impurity” can vary. Besides the usual pronunciation, you may hear /ɪmˈpʰjɔ.ɹə.ɾi/ or /ɪmˈpʰjʊ.ɹə.ɾi/; both are accepted American pronunciations.
Usual pronunciation/ɪmˈpjɚ.ə.ɾi/
Accepted alternate/ɪmˈpʰjɔ.ɹə.ɾi/
Accepted alternate/ɪmˈpʰjʊ.ɹə.ɾi/
Meanings & examples
nounformalless common
A condition that a moral or religious system considers wrong or unclean.
The book discusses moral impurity.
Common phrases & grammar
moral impurity · spiritual impurity
Related words & forms
The plural changes y to ies: impurity → impurities.