impair
C1Formal, academic, medical, legal, technical.
Definition
Meaning
To weaken, damage, or make something less effective.
To reduce the quality, strength, ability, or functioning of something, often in a gradual or subtle way.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically used for abstract qualities (ability, function, judgement) or physical senses (vision, hearing). Often implies a decline from a previous state of full capacity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally common and formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Negative; associated with damage, disability, or disadvantage. Used neutrally in technical/legal contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in written, especially formal, contexts than in casual speech in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
impair + [NP: ability/function]impair + [NP: someone's judgement/vision]Something + impairs + [NP: something]be impaired by + [NP: factor/cause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly with 'impair'. Conceptually related to 'drive under the influence' (driving while ability is impaired).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discussing factors that impair profitability, efficiency, or market competitiveness.
Academic
Describing how a variable impairs cognitive function or experimental results.
Everyday
Describing how lack of sleep impairs one's concentration or how an injury impairs movement.
Technical
Medical/Legal: Describing impaired driving, impaired vision, or impaired contractual capacity.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The fog impaired the driver's visibility on the motorway.
- A noisy environment can seriously impair your ability to concentrate.
American English
- The medication might impair your judgment, so don't drive.
- Poor funding has impaired the program's effectiveness.
adverb
British English
- The device functioned unimpaired.
- His judgement remained unimpaired by the incident.
American English
- The system continued to operate unimpaired.
- Her memory was unimpaired despite her age.
adjective
British English
- He was charged with driving while impaired.
- She has a visually impaired brother.
American English
- The contract was void due to the signatory's impaired capacity.
- Services for the hearing impaired are available.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Loud music can impair your hearing.
- Being tired impairs my driving.
- The accident impaired his ability to walk for months.
- Too much sugar can impair your concentration.
- The new regulations are not intended to impair economic growth.
- Chronic stress can severely impair cognitive functions over time.
- The defendant's plea was based on the claim that his mental faculties were impaired at the time of the offence.
- The chemical was found to irreversibly impair neurological development in foetal subjects.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'IMpair' - to put something INTO a state of disrepair.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH/WHOLENESS IS FUNCTION; DAMAGE IS LOSS (of quality or ability).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'ухудшать' for simple 'worsen' scenarios; 'impair' implies damaging *function*.
- Not a synonym for 'spoil' (испортить) in the sense of ruining food or a mood.
- Do not confuse with 'impale' (пронзить).
Common Mistakes
- Using it for complete destruction (use 'destroy' or 'ruin').
- Using it transitively without an object: *'His vision impaired.' (Correct: 'His vision was impaired' or 'The drug impaired his vision.')
- Confusing 'impaired' (adjective) with 'impairing' (verb).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'impair' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It can describe temporary (e.g., fatigue impairs judgement) or permanent (e.g., a stroke impaired his speech) reduction in function.
'Damage' is broader and often physical. 'Impair' is more specific, focusing on the reduction of function, quality, or ability, often of something abstract. You damage a car's door, but you impair its performance.
No, 'impair' is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object (something that is impaired). The adjective form 'impaired' or 'unimpaired' can be used after a linking verb (e.g., His vision is impaired).
It is standard in medical/legal contexts but some in the Deaf community prefer 'deaf' or 'hard of hearing'. 'Person with hearing loss' is often a more neutral, person-first alternative in general discourse.