What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impure
Example
The gold was impure and needed to be refined. [impure: adjective]
Example
The water in the river was impure due to industrial waste. [impure: adjective]
polluted
Example
The air in the city was polluted with smog. [polluted: adjective]
Example
The lake was polluted with chemicals from nearby factories. [polluted: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Polluted is more commonly used than impure in everyday language, especially when referring to environmental issues. Impure is less common and is typically used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between impure and polluted?
Impure is more formal than polluted, which is more commonly used in casual or informal contexts.
