impair

Everyday

1. (formal) To damage something or make it weaker or worse, as in «Loud noise can impair your hearing». tree →
2. «impaired» (adjective) — weakened, as in «hearing impaired» or «visually impaired». tree →

In the lessons

In health and safety lessons: loud music, smoke or lack of sleep can impair hearing, breathing or thinking. In everyday life «visually impaired» is a polite way to say someone has poor eyesight. Phrases: impair your hearing, impaired vision.

Examples

• Very loud music can impair your hearing. tree →
• Being tired can impair your concentration. tree →
• Smoke impairs your lungs. tree →
• Our neighbour is visually impaired and has a guide dog. tree →
• The fog impaired the driver's view. tree →
• Drugs can impair your judgement. tree →

Note

Formal; everyday words: damage, weaken, harm. Noun: impairment. «Hearing impaired» and «visually impaired» are respectful terms. Do not confuse with «a pair» or «repair» (to fix).

In Jewish tradition

Job's friend says Job weakens reverence and prayer toward God by what he says.

Interpretation. Eliphaz accuses Job of cutting down devotion. Tradition notes that the friends often misjudge Job and that God later says they spoke wrongly.

Examples

• Yea, thou doest away with fear, and impairest devotion before God. (Writings JOB.15.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal; everyday words: damage, weaken, harm. Noun: impairment. «Hearing impaired» and «visually impaired» are respectful terms. Do not confuse with «a pair» or «repair» (to fix).