What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impure
Example
The water in the river was impure due to pollution. [impure: adjective]
Example
He had an impure motive for helping her. [impure: adjective]
dirty
Example
The kitchen was dirty and needed to be cleaned. [dirty: adjective]
Example
He felt guilty for his dirty actions. [dirty: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dirty is more commonly used than impure in everyday language. Dirty is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while impure is less common and has a more formal and technical connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between impure and dirty?
Impure is more formal than dirty and is often used in technical or scientific contexts. Dirty is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
