impure

[ im-pyoor ]
/ ɪmˈpyʊər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR impure ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not pure; mixed with extraneous matter, especially of an inferior or contaminating nature: impure water and air.
modified by admixture, as color.
mixed or combined with something else: an impure style of architecture.
regarded by a religion as unclean, as animals or things.
not morally pure or proper; unchaste or obscene: impure thoughts.
marked by foreign and unsuitable or objectionable elements or characteristics, as a style of art or of literary expression.

Origin of impure

From the Latin word impūrus, dating back to 1530–40. See im-2, pure

OTHER WORDS FROM impure

im·pure·ly, adverb im·pure·ness, noun

Words nearby impure

impulsion, impulsive, impulsive obsession, impundulu, impunity, impure, impure flutter, impurity, imputable, imputation, imputation system

Words related to impure

unclean, adulterated, carnal, coarse, common, corrupt, debased, defiled, diluted, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, grubby, immodest, immoral, indecent, lewd, nasty, obscene

Example sentences from the Web for impure

British Dictionary definitions for impure

impure
/ (ɪmˈpjʊə) /

adjective

not pure; combined with something else; tainted or sullied
(in certain religions)
  1. (of persons) ritually unclean and as such debarred from certain religious ceremonies
  2. (of foodstuffs, vessels, etc) debarred from certain religious uses
(of a colour) mixed with another colour or with black or white
of more than one origin or style, as of architecture or other design

Derived forms of impure

impurely, adverb impureness, noun