B1verbformalhealth
US/ɪmˈper/
UK/ɪmˈpeə/
to damage something or make it work less well than before
In context
Lack of sleep can seriously impair your ability to concentrate at work.
Even a small amount of alcohol impairs your judgment on the road.
The infection left him with impaired hearing in one ear.
Words that go with impair
verb + noun
- impair the abilityStress can impair the ability to remember new information.
- impair judgmentBeing very tired can impair judgment as much as alcohol does.
- impair performanceNot drinking enough water can impair performance in both sport and study.
adverb + verb
- seriously impairSmoking can seriously impair the way wounds heal.
- significantly impairPoor lighting can significantly impair your performance at a desk job.
adjective + noun
- impaired visionPeople with impaired vision can use apps that read text aloud.