Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

impotence

/ˈɪmpətəns/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.96 in modern English

Syllables: im-po-tence
IPA: /ˈɪmpətəns/

15

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Powerlessness; incapacity.

Uncountable

noun

Inability to copulate or beget children; sterility, erectile dysfunction, etc.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Near-synonyms: weakness, helplessness"
"O impotence of mind, in body ſtrong!"
"Ideas that are not thus rooted in social needs are condemned to impotence, and this applies to all utopias and dreams of a perfect society."

Etymology

From Middle French impotence, from Latin impotentia.

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Root: impotence, impotentia

Usage

Uncountable

Inflected Forms

impotences (plural) impotency (alternative)

Phrases

monetary impotence

Frequently Paired Words

impotent

Synonyms

weakness helplessness powerlessness impotency

Questions

How do you pronounce impotence?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɪmpətəns/.
What does impotence mean?: Powerlessness; incapacity.
Where does impotence come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce impotence

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “impotence”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɪmpətəns/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “impotence”.
Repeat and practice — Say “impotence” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.