contaminated
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /kənˈtæmɪneɪtɪd/
KK: /kənˈtæmɪneɪtɪd/
adjective
Definition
Something that has been made dirty or unsafe by the addition of harmful substances.
Example
The water was contaminated by chemicals from the factory.
Conversation
Did you hear about the river getting contaminated last week?
Yeah, it’s terrible! People shouldn’t swim there now.
Exactly! I hope they clean it up soon, so it’s safe again.
Me too, I wouldn't want anyone getting sick from that.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
tainted
polluted
infected
Antonyms
pure
clean
uncontaminated
verb
Definition
To make something dirty or unsafe by adding harmful substances.
Example
The water was contaminated by chemicals from the factory.
Tense Forms
Past: contaminated
Past Participle: contaminated
Conversation
I heard that the river was contaminated after the storm.
Yeah, that’s really concerning for the wildlife and the people nearby.
I hope they manage to clean it up quickly before it causes more problems.
Root Explanation
Contaminated → It is formed from "con-" (meaning together) and "taminare" (from Latin, meaning to touch or make impure). The word "contaminated" means made impure or unclean by coming into contact with something harmful or undesirable.
Memory Tip
Think of things being 'touched together' ('con-') that make them 'impure' ('taminare') — that's why contaminated means something has become unclean.
Visually Confused Words
uncontaminated
uncontaminate
incontaminate
decontaminate
nonlaminated