impassable

[im-pas-uh-buhl, -pah-suh-]

adjective

1. not passable; not allowing passage over, through, along, etc..

   Heavy snow made the roads impassable.

2. unable to be surmounted.

   an impassable obstacle to further negotiations.

3. (of currency) unable to be circulated.

   He tore the bill in half, making it impassable.

impassable

/ ɪmˈpɑːsəbəl /

adjective

1. (of terrain, roads, etc) not able to be travelled through or over

Other Word Forms

• impassability noun
• impassableness noun
• impassably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impassable¹

First recorded in 1560–70; im- ² + passable

Example Sentences

By the time the men were found in the early hours of Friday, rising water levels meant the simplest way out was impassable, forcing the rescuers and the cavers to retrace their steps.

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The authorities there have ordered a mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island, warning that the main highway linking Hatteras to other islands could become impassable.

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“Normally you would only portage a very small section of the river around an impassable rapid, maybe a waterfall or something,” he said.

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The city's busiest road, which connects the centre with the international airport, is impassable, as is some of the motorway that connects the capital to the country's main port, Matadi.

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A concrete UN sign that used to stand over the camp's now impassable main entrance has been knocked down.

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Related Words

• impenetrable 
• insurmountable