contaminated
word · lemma: contaminate
/kənˈtæməˌneɪtɪd/
kuhn-TAM-uh-nay-tid
/kəntˈæmɪnˌeɪtɪd/
kuhn-TAM-i-nay-tid
Definition
Made impure, unsafe, or unusable by the introduction of harmful or unwanted substances.
Usage & Nuances
Used for water, food, soil, blood, or evidence. Often implies a serious health or safety risk. "Contaminated" is stronger than "dirty" — it suggests invisible or dangerous impurities.
Spanish: contaminadoPortuguese (BR): contaminadoPortuguese (PT): contaminadoChinese (Simplified): 被污染的Chinese (Traditional): 被污染的Hindi: दूषितArabic: ملوّثBengali: দূষিতRussian: загрязнённый - заражённыйJapanese: 汚染されたVietnamese: bị ô nhiễmKorean: 오염된Turkish: kirlenmişUrdu: آلودہIndonesian: terkontaminasi - tercemar
Example Sentences
The detective realized the evidence had been contaminated by the first officers on the scene.
natural
The water supply was contaminated with lead.
basic
Don't eat that — the food might be contaminated.
basic
The contaminated soil needs to be removed before building.
basic
Years of industrial dumping had contaminated the river beyond repair.
natural
She worried that her research data had been contaminated by sampling errors.
natural