What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contaminant
Example
The water was found to contain high levels of contaminants such as lead and mercury. [contaminants: noun]
Example
The factory was fined for releasing toxic contaminants into the river. [contaminants: adjective]
impurity
Example
The gold was found to have impurities such as copper and iron. [impurities: noun]
Example
The impure gasoline caused damage to the car's engine. [impure: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contaminant is less common than impurity in everyday language and is typically used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contaminant and impurity?
Contaminant is more formal than impurity and is typically used in scientific or technical contexts, while impurity is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
