Contaminated
/kənˈtæmɪˌneɪtɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo make something impure or polluted, often with harmful substances or agents.
/kənˈtæmɪˌneɪt/
To make something impure or unclean by adding a pollutant.
The drinking water was contaminated with lead.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're baking cookies and accidentally drop some dirt into the dough. That dirt *contaminated* your cookies – now they're not safe to eat!
👶 For kids: To make something dirty or unsafe.
More Examples
The lab accidentally contaminated the experiment.
The soil in the garden was contaminated by pesticides.
How It's Used
"The river was contaminated with industrial waste."
"The food products were contaminated with salmonella."
"The surgical instruments were contaminated, leading to infection."
Being impure or polluted, especially by the introduction of harmful substances.
/kənˈtæmɪˌneɪtɪd/
Made impure by the addition of a pollutant.
The contaminated water supply posed a serious risk.
💡 Simply: If your favorite toy falls in mud, it's *contaminated*! You wouldn't want to play with it until it's clean.
👶 For kids: When something is dirty or has something bad mixed in it.
More Examples
The scientists discovered a contaminated site.
The factory was found to be dumping contaminated waste.
How It's Used
"The contaminated soil was hazardous to plant life."
"Contaminated food can cause severe illness."
"The contaminated needles caused a public health scare."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Contaminated zone
An area that has been polluted or infected with harmful substances, making it dangerous or unsuitable for use.
"The site was declared a contaminated zone after the nuclear accident."
Contaminated with guilt
Feeling deeply ashamed or guilty about something one has done or perceived to have done.
"After the accident, she felt contaminated with guilt for months, convinced that it was her fault."
From Latin contaminatus, past participle of contaminare, meaning 'to pollute, defile, taint,' from con- (with, together) + tangere (to touch).
The word 'contaminated' has been used since the early 17th century, initially referring to moral corruption before broadening to include physical pollution.
Memory tip
Think of "con" (together) and "taminate" (taint). When things are together, they can spread taint/pollution.
Word Origin
"to touch, defile, pollute"