# impair

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪmˈpɛə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #31,616

## Definitions
1. To weaken; to affect negatively; to have a diminishing effect on.
2. To grow worse; to deteriorate.

## Etymology
From Middle English impairen, empeiren, from Old French empeirier, from Early Medieval Latin impeiōrāre, from in- + Late Latin peiōrāre (“worsen”), from peiōrem (“worse”), comparative of malus (“bad”).

## Easily confused with
- **impart** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impair-vs-impart)
- **impala** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impair-vs-impala)
- **impaired** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impair-vs-impaired)
- **impact** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impact-vs-impair)

## Common misspellings (8)
`imapir`, `immpair`, `impairr`, `impari`, `impiar`, `imppair`, `ipmair`, `mipair`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/impair