impaired

[ im-paird ]
/ ɪmˈpɛərd /

adjective

weakened, diminished, or damaged: impaired hearing; to rebuild an impaired bridge.
functioning poorly or inadequately: Consumption of alcohol results in an impaired driver.
deficient or incompetent (usually preceded by an adverb or noun): morally impaired; sports-impaired.

Origin of impaired

OTHER WORDS FROM impaired

un·im·paired, adjective

Definition for impaired (2 of 2)

impair 1
[ im-pair ]
/ ɪmˈpɛər /

verb (used with object)

to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage: to impair one's health; to impair negotiations.

verb (used without object)

to grow or become worse; lessen.

noun

Archaic. impairment.

Origin of impair

1
1250–1300; Middle English empairen, empeiren to make worse < Middle French empeirer, equivalent to em- im-1 + peirer to make worse < Late Latin pējōrāre, equivalent to Latin pējōr-, stem of pējor worse + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive suffix; cf. pejorative

OTHER WORDS FROM impair

Example sentences from the Web for impaired

British Dictionary definitions for impaired

impair
/ (ɪmˈpɛə) /

verb

(tr) to reduce or weaken in strength, quality, etc his hearing was impaired by an accident

Derived forms of impair

impairable, adjective impairer, noun impairment, noun

Word Origin for impair

C14: from Old French empeirer to make worse, from Late Latin pējorāre, from Latin pejor worse; see pejorative