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definitions

ineffable

[ in-ef-uh-buhl ]
/ ɪnˈɛf ə bəl /
||

adjective

incapable of being expressed or described in words; inexpressible: ineffable joy.
not to be spoken because of its sacredness; unutterable: the ineffable name of the deity.

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Nearby words

  1. inedita,
  2. inedited,
  3. ineducable,
  4. ineducation,
  5. ineffability,
  6. ineffaceable,
  7. ineffective,
  8. ineffectual,
  9. inefficacious,
  10. inefficacy

Origin of ineffable

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word ineffābilis. See in-3, effable
SYNONYMS FOR ineffable
2. unspeakable.
Related formsin·ef·fa·bil·i·ty, in·ef·fa·ble·ness, nounin·ef·fa·bly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ineffability

British Dictionary definitions for ineffability

ineffable

/ (ɪnˈɛfəbəl) /

adjective

too great or intense to be expressed in words; unutterable
too sacred to be uttered
indescribable; indefinable
Derived Formsineffability or ineffableness, nounineffably, adverb

Word Origin for ineffable

C15: from Latin ineffābilis unutterable, from in- 1 + effābilis, from effārī to utter, from fārī to speak
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for ineffability
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper