Basic Details
Word: Contaminate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make something dirty or unsafe by adding harmful substances.
Synonyms: Pollute, taint, spoil
Antonyms: Purify, cleanse, clean
Idioms and Phrases
- Contaminated waters: Refers to water that has been polluted or made unsafe. Example: "Due to the factory dump, the river now has contaminated waters that cannot be used for swimming."
- Don't contaminate the air: To caution against spreading harmful behaviour or attitudes. Example: "It's important to keep our discussions positive; let's not contaminate the air with negativity."
Usage Examples
Example 1: If we throw rubbish on the ground, we can contaminate the soil and harm the plants.
Example 2: The scientists found that certain chemicals could contaminate the drinking water if not handled properly.
Example 3: It is essential to wash your hands properly to prevent contaminating your food.
Fun Fact
Did you know that some of the earliest uses of the word "contaminate" can be traced back to the Latin word "contaminare," meaning to make impure? This shows how long the concern for cleanliness and safety has been around!
Famous Quote
"Pollution is nothing but the resources we are not harvesting. We allow them to disperse because we have been ignorant of their value." Buckminster Fuller
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "contaminate" mean?
a) To make something cleaner
b) To make something dirty or unsafe
c) To make something stronger
d) To make something brighter
Answer: b) To make something dirty or unsafe
2. Which of these is a synonym of "contaminate"?
a) Clean
b) Purify
c) Pollute
d) Freshen
Answer: c) Pollute
3. Which sentence uses "contaminate" correctly?
a) The clean water could contaminate the dirty water.
b) They were careful not to contaminate the experiment.
c) She wanted to contaminate her room by cleaning it.
d) The flowers contaminate the garden every spring.
Answer: b) They were careful not to contaminate the experiment.
4. What is the opposite of "contaminate"?
a) Spoil
b) Taint
c) Cleanse
d) Pollute
Answer: c) Cleanse
5. Which idiom refers to polluted water?
a) Contaminated waters
b) Clear as a bell
c) A drop in the ocean
d) Above the law
Answer: a) Contaminated waters
