inexplicable

[ in-ik-splik-uh-buhl, in-ek-spli-kuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not explicable; incapable of being accounted for or explained.

   Synonyms: mysterious, unaccountable

inexplicable

/ ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbəl; ɪnˈɛksplɪkəbəl /

adjective

1. not capable of explanation; unexplainable

Derived Forms

• ˌinexplicaˈbility, noun
• ˌinexˈplicably, adverb

Other Words From

• in·ex·pli·ca·bil·i·ty [in-ik-splik-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee] in·ex·pli·ca·ble·ness noun
• in·ex·pli·ca·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inexplicable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word inexplicābilis. See in- ³, explicable

Example Sentences

It lets us see that our weird and inexplicable urges are actually normal and easily explained.

From The Daily Beast

I admire Neil deGrasse Tyson, the astrophysicist and author of Space Chronicles and Inexplicable Universe.

From The Daily Beast

Secretary of State John Kerry called the group, “ugly, savage, inexplicable, nihilistic, valueless evil.”

From The Daily Beast

She waited for the inexplicable sentiment to fade away, but instead it intensified and she began to sob.

From The Daily Beast

There is no good reason beyond that inexplicable American habit of following beaten paths.

From The Daily Beast

The intensity of his sensations seemed inexplicable, unless some reality, some truth, lay behind them.

From Project Gutenberg

He had seen her name in a hotel list of Mentone; he surprised her with a visit; he was received with inexplicable coldness.

From Project Gutenberg

However great and inexplicable these differences may be, it is not the business of the valuator of a manure to discuss them.

From Project Gutenberg

The blood hummed through Garnache's head as he tightened his lips and watched this gentleman indulge his inexplicable mirth.

From Project Gutenberg

An inexplicable feeling crept into his heart—the first kindly feeling he had ever known.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• baffling
• incomprehensible
• mysterious
• mystifying
• odd
• peculiar
• puzzling
• strange
• unaccountable
• unfathomable