inconceivable
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of inconceivable
First recorded in 1625–35; in- 3 + conceivable
Explanation
If something is inconceivable, it doesn’t seem possible, it’s hard to imagine, or it can’t be true. It might seem inconceivable that a society would choose to pay bankers more than teachers, but it’s true. When an idea or event is inconceivable, it's so outlandish, amazing, or horrible that it’s hard to believe. The horrible acts committed by the Nazis during the Holocaust are inconceivable on many levels, yet we know they occurred. Some things are inconceivable because they really wouldn't happen — for example, it's inconceivable that you would actually eat your hat.
Vocabulary lists containing inconceivable
The Diary of Anne Frank
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2
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List 3
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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.
Recapturing the tone of “The Princess Bride”? Inconceivable.
From Seattle Times • May 19, 2022
Dunaway’s recent screen roles have included faith drama The Case for Christ and thriller Inconceivable with Nicolas Cage.
From The Guardian • Jul. 25, 2019
Inconceivable as it now seems, that thrilling novel still didn’t make Holmes a household name.
From Washington Post • Aug. 16, 2017
“Bride” help launched the career of actor Cary Elwes, who last fall published a book, “As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of ‘The Princess Bride,’” and is currently on tour to promote it.
From Salon • Jun. 26, 2015
Inconceivable, inconceivable that one blow could cause such pain!
From "1984" by George Orwell
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.
