incredible
Americanadjective
-
so extraordinary as to seem impossible.
incredible speed.
-
not credible; hard to believe; unbelievable.
The plot of the book is incredible.
- Synonyms:
- preposterous, astonishing, far-fetched
adjective
-
beyond belief or understanding; unbelievable
-
informal marvellous; amazing
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of incredible
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word incrēdibilis. See in- 3, credible
Explanation
If it's hard to believe and hard to wrap your head around, it just might be incredible. A hurricane in Kansas would certainly be incredible, but keeping your bedroom tidy all week counts too. Incredible is commonplace and perhaps overused but it still fits the bill whenever life is beyond expectation. The Latin root credere means believe. Slap an in in front of that root, and something incredible is hard to believe.
Vocabulary lists containing incredible
Believe It or Not: Cred
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 26–31
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Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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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.
"Honestly, it's incredible to see F1 in real life. It's my first time, and even just free practice is really spectacular," she says.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
"Bats have evolved this incredible fitness capacity, this incredible ability to deal with disease and this incredible ability to be able to prevent cancer," he said.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 12, 2026
“It really is this incredible ecosystem and city that’s been built up over the last several years, and it’s become an important nexus for space, military and funding.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
“I am overjoyed that Joann wants to ensure that P-22 is honored for his incredible legacy,” Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, said in the release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026
Amma says we should be thankful for Grandma Knife's incredible fingers, and I know Grandma Knife helps keep us safe, but I can't help fearing she'll someday pounce on me.
From "Born Behind Bars" by Padma Venkatraman
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.
