How to pronounce impure
Say it like im-PYOOR. Impure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PYOOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce impure. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PYOOR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Impure pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PYOORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of impure
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: im-PYOOR.
What does impure mean?
- Containing undesired intermixtures“The impure gemstone was not good enough to be made into a necklace, so it was thrown out.”
- Unhallowed; defiled by something unholy, either physically by an objectionable substance, or morally by guilt or sin
- Unchaste; obscene (not according to or not abiding by some system of sexual morality)“He was thinking impure thoughts involving a girl from school.”
Where does impure come from?
From Middle French impur, from Latin impūrus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with impure
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of impure.
Questions about saying impure
How do you pronounce impure?
Say im-PYOOR. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪmˈpjʊr/. In British English it is /ˌɪmˈpjʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in impure?
Impure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PYOOR). Broken into parts: im · PYOOR.
Is impure pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌɪmˈpjʊə/ (im-PYOOR).