impotent

B1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈɪm.pə.tənt/ See IPA manual

Freq #12804

Meanings

1

adj
unable to copulate, usually referring to a man

The impotent patient was given drugs to help with arousal.
2

adj
Lacking in power, as to act effectively; helpless

Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent.
3

adj
Incapable of sexual intercourse, often because of an inability to achieve or sustain an erection, having impotentia coeundi.

A person smeared with the excrement of a mouse was rendered impotent, according to Pliny the Elder.
4

adj
Lacking self-restraint

Then, impotent of tongue (her ſilence broke) / Thus turbulent in rattling tone ſhe ſpoke.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 adj · lacking in power, as to act... helpless powerless

4 adj · lacking self-restraint incontinent

Opposites

potent

Word family

Forms impotentlyimpotents

Derived forms impotentlyimpotentnessnonimpotentself-impotent

Related forms impotence

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

impotent rage
Intense anger accompanied by an inability to act or change the situation.

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Old French impotent, from Latin impotēns, from in- (expresses negation) + potēns (“powerful”).

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# impotent

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈɪm.pə.tənt/
**Frequency rank:** 12804

## Meanings
1. unable to copulate, usually referring to a man
2. Lacking in power, as to act effectively; helpless
3. Incapable of sexual intercourse, often because of an inability to achieve or sustain an erection, having impotentia coeundi.
4. Lacking self-restraint

## Examples
- The impotent patient was given drugs to help with arousal.
- Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent.
- A person smeared with the excrement of a mouse was rendered impotent, according to Pliny the Elder.
- Then, impotent of tongue (her ſilence broke) / Thus turbulent in rattling tone ſhe ſpoke.

## Antonyms
- potent

## Derived Forms
- impotently
- impotentness
- nonimpotent
- self-impotent

## Related Forms
- impotence

## Etymology
From Old French impotent, from Latin impotēns, from in- (expresses negation) + potēns (“powerful”).

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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