Etymology Map
Back to all words

Impair

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to weaken or damage

Where does the word "impair" come from? It comes from Late Latin impejorare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
impejorare
Late Latin · ancient
"to make worse"
'in-' plus 'pejor', worse
2
Stage 2 of 3
empeirier
Old French · medieval
"to worsen"
used of health, goods or fortunes growing worse
3
Stage 3 of 3
impair
English · 1300s
"to worsen"
'visually impaired' dates from the 1900s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Impair’s story begins in Late Latin: impejorare meant “to make worse.” 'in-' plus 'pejor', worse. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as empeirier. Used of health, goods or fortunes growing worse. It reached English by 1300s as impair. 'visually impaired' dates from the 1900s. Today, impair means to weaken or damage.