Word
impairment
Phoneticsim·pair·ment, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈpɛɹmənt/
UK/ɪmpˈeəmənt/
Definitions
01physical or mental condition
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine Formal
n. a condition where a part of your body or mind is damaged or does not work as it should.
n. a permanent or temporary loss or abnormality of a psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function.
“The school provides extra support for students with a visual impairment.”
“The clinical assessment aimed to determine the extent of cognitive impairment resulting from the patient's recent head injury.”
Usage
Often used with 'visual', 'hearing', or 'cognitive'.
Synonyms
02loss of financial value
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. a reduction in the value of a company's asset because it is no longer worth what was originally paid.
n. a permanent reduction in the value of an asset to less than its carrying amount on a balance sheet.
“The company had to report a large impairment on its property after the market crashed.”
“Following the annual audit, the board recognised a significant impairment loss on the goodwill associated with the recent acquisition.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'impairment loss'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03general weakening
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the process of something becoming weaker or less effective.
n. the state or process of being diminished in quality, strength, or value.
“The impairment of the bridge's structure was caused by years of salt water damage.”
“The report highlighted the gradual impairment of diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring states over the last decade.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “impairment” in context.
Adjective
01. visual impairment
“The museum provides special audio guides for visitors with a visual impairment.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“Cannabis-related impairment often went undetected by those tests.” “Much less is known about how to turn a positive test into a reliable timestamp for impairment.” Etymology
From Middle English empeirement, empeyrement, emparement, from Anglo-Norman empairement, emperement, enpeirement, from Old French ampirement, anpirement, enperement, equivalent to impair + -ment.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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