ineffable

[in-ef-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. incapable of being expressed or described in words; inexpressible.

   ineffable joy.

2. not to be spoken because of its sacredness; unutterable.

   the ineffable name of the deity.

   Synonyms: unspeakable

ineffable

/ ɪnˈɛfəbəl /

adjective

1. too great or intense to be expressed in words; unutterable

2. too sacred to be uttered

3. indescribable; indefinable

Other Word Forms

• ineffability noun
• ineffableness noun
• ineffably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ineffable¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word ineffābilis. See in- ³, effable

Word History and Origins

Origin of ineffable¹

C15: from Latin ineffābilis unutterable, from _in- ¹ + effābilis, from effārī to utter, from fārī to speak

Example Sentences

It’s a performance that requires O’Connor to hint at an ineffable void.

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Then, after a short silence, the music resumed, but now with the addition of Mr. Muhly on prepared piano, lending ineffable poignancy to strains of unsentimental emotionalism.

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With Frankenstein, he worries he’ll jinx the monster by talking too much about him, snuffing out the ineffable thing that he says fueled his performance.

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From the title “Is There Anybody Out There?” to the lyrics “living infinite lives / are they mine?” from “It All Comes Back,” Schneider asks ineffable questions in poignant songs often imbued with quirky, understated profundity.

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“It’s not just fatigue — it’s an ineffable, system wide cry for help and I don’t know how long I can remain in this state,” Moriarty continues in her text to her mother.

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Related Words

• ethereal 
• heavenly 
• indescribable 
• transcendent 
• unspeakable