# pollute

> English word · Verb · IPA /pəˈluːt/ · frequency rank #34,640

## Definitions
1. To make something harmful, especially by the addition of some unwanted product.
2. To make something or somewhere less suitable for some activity, especially by the introduction of some unnatural factor.
3. To corrupt or profane
4. To violate sexually; to debauch; to dishonour.

## Etymology
From Middle English polluten, borrowed from Latin pollūtum, from pollūtus (“no longer virgin", "unchaste”), perfect passive participle of polluō (“soil", "defile", "dishonor”).

## Easily confused with
- **polluted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pollute-vs-polluted)
- **polite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/polite-vs-pollute)

## Common misspellings (8)
`opllute`, `plolute`, `polltue`, `polluet`, `pollutte`, `polulte`, `polute`, `ppollute`

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