inadmissible
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inadmissible
First recorded in 1770–80; in- 3 + admissible
Explanation
If something's inadmissible, it's not allowed or permitted, usually because it's seen to be irrelevant. Inadmissible evidence needs to stay out of the courtroom. While you can use the adjective inadmissible to talk about anything that's not tolerated or is objectionable, it's most commonly used in a legal context. In a courtroom, when evidence is declared inadmissible by a judge, that means it can't be mentioned during a trial — it's not relevant or valid. Inadmissible adds the "not" prefix in- to admissible, from the Latin root admittere, "to allow to enter."
Vocabulary lists containing inadmissible
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.
"Inadmissible," he calls it, "regardless of how grave the crime."
From US News • May 1, 2015
He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1966 for his role in Osborne's "Inadmissible Evidence" and again in 1974 for Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya."
From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2012
Karen Gillan aka Amy Pond of Doctor Who has landed a lead role in Inadmissible Evidence.
From The Guardian • Jul. 22, 2011
Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan is to make her professional theatre debut in a West End revival of John Osborne's 1964 play Inadmissible Evidence.
From BBC • Jul. 22, 2011
Inadmissible also is the suggestion that the phrase means concerning the details of, for Deuteronomy and especially Leviticus emphasise the details of burnt-offering and sacrifice.
From Jeremiah : Being The Baird Lecture for 1922 by Smith, George Adam, Sir
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.
