impurity — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The condition of being impure; because of contamination, pollution, adulteration or insufficient purification.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   impureness

   Antonyms

   purity

   Examples

   Even animals in the Jewish system cause impurity only when they are dead.

2. A component or additive that renders something else impure.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   adulterantcontaminationtaint

   Examples

   The impurities in the iron ore made extraction of the iron very difficult.

   More examples (1)

   An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.

3. A state of immorality or sin; especially the weakness of the flesh: inchastity.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   depravityperversionwickedness

   Examples

   With his cheating, lying and stealing, he epitomised the impurity of humanity.

Noun

1. worthless or dangerous material that should be removed

   Synonyms

   dross

   Broader terms

   wastewaste materialwaste matterwaste product

   Examples

   there were impurities in the water

2. the condition of being impure

   Synonyms

   impureness

   Antonyms

   purity

   Broader terms

   conditionstatus