inevitable
Americanadjective
-
unable to be avoided, evaded, or escaped; certain; fated.
an inevitable conclusion.
- Synonyms:
- ineluctable, unavoidable
-
sure to occur, happen, or come; unalterable.
The inevitable end of human life is death.
noun
adjective
-
unavoidable
-
sure to happen; certain
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of inevitable
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word inēvītābilis; see in- 3, evitable
Explanation
If something is inevitable, it will definitely happen, like death or tax season. Inevitable comes from the Latin word inevitabilis, which means unavoidable. If you say something is inevitable, you give the sense that no matter what scheme you come up with to get around it, it's going to happen sooner or later. You can use all the skin products you want, but wrinkles are inevitable.
Vocabulary lists containing inevitable
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List 7
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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.
Erling Haaland's move to Manchester City came in 2022 - one many felt had been inevitable with his father's history with the club and his own love of English football.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
It was one of those dramatic Los Angeles afternoons when the sky had darkened early and rain felt inevitable.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
Critics say it’s just postponing coal’s inevitable demise.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
The post cautions that recursive self-improvement hasn’t yet happened and isn’t inevitable, “but could come sooner than most institutions are prepared for.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
The spread of infectious diseases was inevitable, as were bitter arguments among old neighbors who fought over ownership of the land that was left.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
