irremediable

American  

[ir-i-mee-dee-uh-buhl] / ˌɪr ɪˈmi di ə bəl /

adjective

1. not admitting of remedy, cure, or repair.

   irremediable conduct.

---

irremediable British  

/ ˌɪrɪˈmiːdɪəbəl /

adjective

1. not able to be remedied; incurable or irreparable

---

Other Word Forms

• irremediableness
  noun
• irremediably
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of irremediable

From the Latin word irremediābilis, dating back to 1540–50. See ir- ², remediable

Explanation

Irremediable describes something that can’t be saved, like an irremediable misunderstanding between friends that means the relationship is over. The adjective irremediable came into English from the Latin word irremediabilis, a combination of in-, meaning “not,” and remediabilis, meaning “curable.” Heed the wisdom of the Latins, and save irremediable to describe those hopeless situations that simply can’t be fixed or put right. For example, if something causes irremediable damage, give up and move on.

Example Sentences

Irremediable, ir-re-mē′di-a-bl, adj. that cannot be remedied or redressed.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Irremediable loss—it sounded in her voice, it crept coldly in his burning veins, it came spreading, flooding, filling the whole earth in the first faint glimmer of dawn.

From The Devil's Garden by Maxwell, W. B.

Irremediable confusion would be caused for a foreman who tried to handle copy written on both sides, for each take would contain a part of some other compositor's copy.

From News Writing The Gathering , Handling and Writing of News Stories by Spencer, M. Lyle (Matthew Lyle)