# impede

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪmˈpiːd/ · frequency rank #24,197

## Definitions
1. To get in the way of; to hinder.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin impediō (“to shackle”), from pēs (“foot”) (compare pedestrian). First attested use as a verb was in William Shakespeare's Macbeth, see quotations.

## Easily confused with
- **impose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impede-vs-impose)
- **impure** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impede-vs-impure)
- **implode** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/impede-vs-implode)

## Common misspellings (8)
`imepde`, `immpede`, `impdee`, `impedde`, `impeed`, `imppede`, `ipmede`, `mipede`

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