impair

Advancedzipf 2.93

Pronunciation

/ɪmˈpɛə/(im-PAIR)

Part of speech

verbformal

Chinese

损害；削弱（使功能或能力下降）

Definition

To weaken or damage something, especially a faculty or ability.

Word family

  • impairment/ɪmˈpɛəmənt/(n)损伤
  • impaired/ɪmˈpɛəd/(adj)受损的

Collocations

  • impair vision
  • impair judgment
  • impair function
  • visually impaired

Examples

  1. 1.Alcohol can impair your ability to drive safely. (weaken ability)
  2. 2.Hearing-impaired students need additional support. (disabled)

Synonyms

  • damage/ˈdæmɪdʒ/— general harm
  • undermine/ˌʌndəˈmaɪn/— weaken gradually from below
  • compromise/ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/— reduce quality or safety

Etymology

from Latin "impejorare" = to make worse — "pejor" = worse