What does impurity mean?
Impurity is the condition of being impure, contaminated, or not fully pure. It can refer to a physical defect or unwanted substance, as in a chemical sample containing impurities, or to moral and religious uncleanness, as in ideas of ritual impurity. The noun is useful because it describes both the general condition of contamination and, in some contexts, the specific material or quality responsible for it. In technical writing, it is generally a neutral, precise term; in ethical, religious, or social discussion, it may suggest a serious breach of accepted standards. The related adjective impure describes a contaminated or morally objectionable thing, while the plural impurities commonly refers to individual contaminants.
nounThe state or condition of being impure, especially the presence of something that is unsuitable, contaminating, or morally objectionable. It can also refer to a substance or quality that makes something impure.
- The condition of not being pure, clean, or free from contamination.
- A substance, particle, or quality that contaminates or makes something impure.
- Moral or spiritual uncleanness, especially in religious, legal, or traditional contexts.
"The laboratory tested the water for signs of impurity before it was released."
"Even a trace of impurity can affect the results of a chemical experiment."
"The ancient ritual regarded certain forms of impurity as requiring purification."
Use the plural when referring to individual contaminating substances or separate unwanted qualities, especially in technical contexts.
"The filter was designed to remove impurities from the water."
The word impurity can describe a speck in a laboratory sample, a flaw in a gemstone, or a moral failing in a person.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does impurity come from?
The noun impurity was formed in the early 19th century from the adjective impure and the suffix -ity, which forms abstract nouns. The adjective impure comes from the Latin word impurus, meaning “unclean” or “not pure.” The same Latin root also produced purify, purification, and purity, the latter expressing the opposite condition.
Related word forms
How impurity is actually used
In scientific and technical contexts, the word is usually neutral and refers to contamination or the presence of unwanted material. In religious, ritual, legal, and moral contexts, it may carry a strongly evaluative meaning.
Easily confused with impurity
Purity means freedom from impurity or contamination, whereas impurity refers to the presence of contaminants or morally objectionable qualities.
Impurity is the condition of being impure, while impurities are the particular substances or qualities that make something impure.