# impaired

/ˌɪmˈpɛɹd/ (US) · /ɪmpˈeəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impaired
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. weakened or damaged

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

damaged or weakened so that it does not work perfectly.

For teachers: rendered less effective, weakened, or damaged in function or quality.

- His vision was impaired after the accident, so he had to wear glasses.
- The patient's cognitive functions were significantly impaired by the stroke, necessitating a long-term rehabilitation plan focused on speech and memory.

Usage: Often used in medical or technical contexts to describe senses like hearing or vision.

### 2. drunk or high

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

not able to think or act clearly because of alcohol or drugs.

For teachers: functioning at a diminished capacity due to the consumption of alcohol or controlled substances.

- The police stopped the driver because he appeared to be impaired.
- Operating heavy machinery while impaired by prescription medication is strictly prohibited under the current safety guidelines.

Teaching tip: This is a formal and legal way to say someone is drunk or high; it is the standard term used in police reports and courtrooms.

### 3. a legal charge

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Technical

a crime where someone drives a car while they are drunk or high.

For teachers: a criminal offence involving the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants.

- He lost his license after being charged with an impaired.
- The defendant faced a mandatory minimum sentence after his second impaired in three years.

Usage: Used as a countable noun primarily in North American legal contexts.

## Examples

- He has impaired vision and needs glasses to read.
- The driver was arrested for operating a vehicle while his judgment was impaired by alcohol.
- The study suggests that long-term sleep deprivation leads to significantly impaired cognitive performance, comparable to the effects of moderate intoxication.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.