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indescribable

American  
[in-di-skrahy-buh-buhl] / ˌɪn dɪˈskraɪ bə bəl /

adjective

  1. not describable; too extraordinary for description.

    a scene of indescribable confusion; indescribable euphoria.

    Synonyms:
    unutterable, indefinable, overwhelming

indescribable British  
/ ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl /

adjective

  1. beyond description; too intense, extreme, etc, for words

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of indescribable

First recorded in 1785–95; in- 3 + describable ( def. )

Explanation

Something indescribable is too intense, extreme or unusual to describe. It's beyond words. Have you ever noticed how some things are tough or impossible to put into words? Those things are indescribable. The feeling after you win the Olympic gold medal in swimming is probably indescribable. The astronauts who traveled to the moon had an indescribable experience. Some say an incredible athlete like Michael Jordan is indescribable. Of course, nothing is truly indescribable — people describe just about everything. Still, this is a great word for when you feel like words just aren't enough.

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Vocabulary lists containing indescribable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Indescribable, but eminently readable, the actor-comedian’s book consists of a carnival of observations, ideas and events that may or may not make up a memoir.

From Washington Post • Oct. 31, 2019

The other is “I Want to Be a Child Star,” which, like “One Indescribable Instant,” shows how kids absorb messed up messages from Hollywood.

From Slate • Nov. 5, 2018

Indescribable was the appearance of this wonderful court.

From Henry of Ofterdingen: A Romance. by Hardenberg, Friedrich von

Indescribable luxuries followed: a hot bath, wonderful clean garments, and Claire’s happy fingers combing the tangles out of the tawny hair.

From The Heart of Thunder Mountain by Fischer, Anton Otto

Indescribable weariness seemed to have seized upon her.

From On the Heights A Novel by Auerbach, Berthold

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