impairment
gb/ɪmpˈɛɹmənt/ us/ɪmpˈɛɹmənt/
B2
English
~ 5600
károsodás, értékvesztés
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
1
károsodás
B2
Usage pattern:
impairment of [ability/function/body part]
The accident caused a permanent impairment of his right arm.
A baleset maradandó károsodást okozott a jobb karjában.
Older adults are at higher risk of cognitive impairment.
Az idősebb felnőtteknél nagyobb a kognitív károsodás kockázata.
The medication may lead to temporary impairment of driving ability.
Children with hearing impairment often need additional support in the classroom.
The study focused on the level of visual impairment in patients with diabetes.
Learner examples
The disease can cause serious impairment of the lungs.
A betegség súlyos tüdőkárosodást okozhat.
She has a mild hearing impairment in her left ear.
Enyhe halláskárosodása van a bal fülére.
After the stroke, he had speech impairment and needed therapy.
Tiredness can lead to impairment of your judgment.
Glasses can help people with visual impairment see better.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *impairment* when they mean a short, simple problem like a small cut or a headache. *Impairment* usually describes a more serious or ongoing reduction in ability. Learners also confuse *impairment* with *disability*: in many modern contexts, *person with a disability* is preferred for people-first language, while *impairment* refers more specifically to the medical or functional condition.
Meaning
reduced physical or mental ability
Collocations
cognitive impairment
|hearing impairment
|visual impairment
|speech impairment
|severe impairment
|functional impairment
Synonyms
disability (Often broader and more social or legal in focus; impairment usually refers more narrowly to the medical or functional limitation.)
|
deficit (Common in medical and psychological contexts; sounds more clinical and is often used for specific abilities, like 'attention deficit'.)
|
damage (More general and physical; does not always focus on ongoing reduced ability, while impairment usually does.)
Antonyms
health (Suggests the absence of injury or disease, and therefore the absence of impairment.)
|
full function (Highlights that all abilities are working normally, without any reduction.)
Themes
health
|disability
|medicine
|society
|body
Definition
A state where a part of the body or mind does not work as well as normal.
A condition in which a physical or mental ability, organ, or process is damaged, weakened, or does not work as well as is typical.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
értékvesztés
C1
Usage pattern:
impairment of [asset]
The company recorded a major impairment of its oil and gas assets.
A vállalat jelentős értékvesztést számolt el az olaj- és gázipari eszközein.
Weak demand led to a significant impairment loss on the factory equipment.
A gyenge kereslet miatt jelentős értékvesztés miatti veszteséget kellett elszámolni a gyári berendezésekre.
Investors were surprised by the large goodwill impairment announced in the annual report.
Learner examples
The firm reported an impairment of its hotel properties this year.
A cég idén értékvesztést jelentett a szállodaingatlanjaira.
Falling prices caused an impairment loss on the company’s inventory.
Az árak esése miatt a vállalat készleteire értékvesztés miatti veszteséget kellett elszámolni.
The board discussed whether an impairment of goodwill was necessary.
The auditor asked for more tests before accepting the impairment charge.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *impairment* with *depreciation*. *Depreciation* is a planned, regular cost over an asset’s life, while *impairment* is an extra reduction when the asset suddenly becomes less valuable than expected.
Meaning
reduction in asset value
Collocations
impairment charge
|impairment loss
|goodwill impairment
|asset impairment
Synonyms
write-down (A broader accounting term for reducing the book value of an asset; an impairment is a specific type of write-down when value has fallen below what was originally recognized.)
Antonyms
appreciation (Refers to an increase in the value of an asset, which is the opposite of impairment.)
Themes
business
|finance
|accounting
Definition
A reduction in the official value of a company’s asset because it will not bring as much money in the future as expected.
A decrease in the recorded value of an asset when its recoverable amount is lower than its carrying amount, usually recognized as an expense in financial statements.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impairment
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɛɹmənt/
US/ɪmpˈɛɹmənt/
Syllables & stress
impair - ment (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ment)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: impairment
- Plural: impairment, impairments
Word family
Forms
impairments
noun
Core family
impair
verb B2
impaired
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unimpaired
adjective
Expressions
hearing impairment
1/hˈɪɹɪŋ ɪmpˈɛɹmənt/
fixed phrase
reduced ability to hear
A state where a person cannot hear as well as most people, from mild loss to complete deafness.
Examples
- Children with hearing impairment may need special support at school.
- The device was designed for users with mild to moderate hearing impairment.
- Long-term exposure to loud noise can cause hearing impairment.
impairment charge
1/ɪmpˈɛɹmənt t͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
expense from reduced asset value
An accounting cost that a company records when it decides that one of its assets is worth less than before.
Examples
- The company took a large impairment charge related to its retail stores.
- A surprise impairment charge pushed the firm into a net loss for the quarter.
- Falling property prices resulted in a one-time impairment charge on several buildings.
impairment loss
1/ɪmpˈɛɹmənt lˈɔs/
fixed phrase
technical
amount of asset value reduction
The number that shows how much value an asset has lost when it is impaired in a company’s accounts.
Examples
- The impairment loss on goodwill totaled $50 million.
- An impairment loss must be recognized when the recoverable amount falls below the carrying amount.
- The auditors questioned how the company calculated the impairment loss on its investments.
speech impairment
1/spˈit͡ʃ ɪmpˈɛɹmənt/
fixed phrase
difficulty speaking clearly
A problem that makes it hard for a person to speak clearly or in a typical way.
Examples
- After the stroke, he developed a speech impairment and needed therapy.
- Early support can greatly help children with speech impairment.
- The clinic specializes in treating speech impairment caused by brain injury.
visual impairment
1/vˈɪʒuəl ɪmpˈɛɹmənt/
fixed phrase
reduced ability to see
A state where a person’s sight is weaker than normal, even when they use glasses or contact lenses.
Examples
- The museum offers audio guides for visitors with visual impairment.
- Diabetes is a major cause of visual impairment worldwide.
- Children with visual impairment may use large-print textbooks.
cognitive impairment
1/kˈɑɡnɪtɪv ɪmpˈɛɹmənt/
fixed phrase
reduced thinking or memory ability
Problems with the brain that make it harder to think, remember, learn, or pay attention than is usual.
Examples
- The study looked at how sleep affects cognitive impairment in older adults.
- People with mild cognitive impairment may notice they forget recent events more often.
- Regular exercise can lower the risk of cognitive impairment.
cognitive impairment
2/kˈɑɡnɪtɪv ɪmpˈɛɹmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
reduced ability to think clearly
A problem that makes it harder for someone to think clearly, remember things, or make decisions.
Examples
- The stroke left him with mild cognitive impairment.
- Cognitive impairment can affect a person’s ability to live independently.
- The clinic offers support for patients with cognitive impairments and their families.