inevitable

American  

[in-ev-i-tuh-buhl] / ɪnˈɛv ɪ tə bəl /

adjective

1. unable to be avoided, evaded, or escaped; certain; fated.

   an inevitable conclusion.

   Synonyms:

   ineluctable, unavoidable

2. sure to occur, happen, or come; unalterable.

   The inevitable end of human life is death.

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noun

1. that which is unavoidable.

inevitable British  

/ ɪnˈɛvɪtəbəl /

adjective

1. unavoidable

2. sure to happen; certain

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noun

1. something that is unavoidable

Other Word Forms

• inevitability noun
• inevitableness noun
• inevitably adverb
• quasi-inevitable adjective

Etymology

Origin of inevitable

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word inēvītābilis; 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.

Example Sentences

For years it felt like Real Madrid were inevitable in the Champions League.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Certainly, given the way the negotiations were set up, failure was inevitable.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

“De Gaulle’s thinking, by contrast, was permeated by a sense of the inevitable and by a melancholy, sometimes apocalyptic, belief that all human enterprises will fail sooner or later.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The results were obvious and inevitable to anyone who never worked at McKinsey.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

As Mrs. Caruthers raised the cup, Ophie sank into a deep curtsy, eyes downcast as her heart pounded while she waited for the inevitable rebuke.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Related Words

• imminent
• impending
• inescapable
• inexorable
• irresistible
• necessary
• unavoidable
• undeniable