Letters and spelling
This list features words that start with im-, a prefix that often means 'not' before words beginning with b, m, or p, though it can also simply mean 'into.' It suits students learning prefixes, test-prep learners, and anyone strengthening everyday academic vocabulary.
| Word | Meaning | In a sentence | Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| impossibleadjective | Not able to happen, exist, or be done under any circumstances. | It seemed impossible to finish the report before the deadline that afternoon. | |
| imperfectadjective | Having faults, flaws, or defects; not entirely complete or perfect. | The bakery sells imperfect loaves at a discount even though they taste fine. | |
| impatientadjective | Unable or unwilling to wait calmly for something; easily annoyed by delays. | The impatient customers complained loudly about the long line at checkout. | |
| impoliteadjective | Not having good manners; rude or discourteous in speech or behavior. | It was impolite of him to interrupt the speaker so many times. | |
| immatureadjective | Not fully developed physically or emotionally, or behaving in a childish way inappropriate for one's age. | The manager scolded him for making immature jokes during the client meeting. | |
| immobileadjective | Not able to move or be moved; staying completely still. | The injured hiker lay immobile until the rescue team arrived. | |
| immoraladjective | Not conforming to accepted standards of right and wrong behavior; morally wrong. | The employees considered it immoral to cover up the company's safety violations. | |
| immortaladjective | Living or lasting forever; not subject to death or destruction. | In the myth, the gods were immortal and never aged. | |
| impracticaladjective | Not sensible or workable in practice, despite perhaps seeming reasonable in theory. | Carrying an umbrella that size is impractical on a crowded train. | |
| imbalancenoun | A lack of proper proportion or balance between two or more things. | The doctor found a hormonal imbalance that explained her fatigue. | |
| impreciseadjective | Not exact or accurate; lacking the detail needed for precision. | His imprecise directions led us to the wrong street entirely. | |
| improperadjective | Not in accordance with accepted standards of behavior, correctness, or propriety. | Wearing shorts to the formal dinner was considered improper. | |
| imprudentadjective | Not sensible or wise; showing poor judgment about risk or likely consequences. | Investing his entire savings in one volatile stock was an imprudent decision. | |
| impureadjective | Mixed with other substances that make something unclean, contaminated, or less pure. | The impure water needed to be filtered before it was safe to drink. | |
| immeasurableadjective | Too great, vast, or extensive to be measured or calculated. | The rescue workers showed immeasurable courage during the flood. | |
| immovableadjective | Impossible to move, change, or shift from a fixed position or opinion. | The boulder blocking the trail was immovable without heavy machinery. | |
| impassableadjective | Impossible to travel along or through because of an obstacle or poor conditions. | Heavy snow made the mountain pass impassable for two days. | |
| imprisonverb | To confine someone in a prison, or to restrict them as if held captive. | The corrupt official was imprisoned soon after the trial concluded. | |
| immerseverb | To involve oneself deeply in an activity or interest, or to submerge something completely in a liquid. | She immersed herself in the local language by spending a summer in Madrid. | |
| implantverb | To insert or fix something firmly into a surface, tissue, or the mind. | Surgeons implant a small device to help regulate the patient's heartbeat. | |
| importverb | To bring in goods, services, or data from another country or system for use domestically. | The company imports raw coffee beans from three different countries. | |
| imposeverb | To officially establish a rule, tax, or penalty that must be obeyed, or to force something on someone unwelcome. | The government imposed a curfew after the storm caused widespread damage. | |
| impressverb | To make someone feel admiration or respect through one's abilities or qualities. | She hoped her portfolio would impress the hiring committee. | |
| improveverb | To make or become better in quality, value, or condition than before. | Regular practice will improve your pronunciation faster than any textbook can. | |
| impulsenoun | A sudden, strong urge to act, often without careful thought about the consequences. | On impulse, she bought the bright red jacket in the shop window. | |
| imminentadjective | About to happen very soon, often used to describe something threatening or significant. | Dark clouds signaled an imminent storm, so we packed up the picnic. | |
| imperativeadjective | Extremely important or urgent, requiring immediate attention or action. | It is imperative that we finish the report before the deadline tomorrow. |
No matching words in this collection.
The prefix im- most often negates a word, turning possible into impossible or mature into immature. It appears before b, m, or p because it is a spelling variant of in-. Less often, im- keeps its older sense of 'into' or 'in,' as in import or implant, so context always matters when working out which meaning applies.
It usually means 'not,' as in impossible or immature, though it can also mean 'into,' as in import.