inextricably
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of inextricably
First recorded in 1590–1600; inextricab(le) ( def. ) + -ly
Explanation
Inextricably is an adverb that means in a manner that is impossible to unravel or separate from something else. It usually modifies words like "linked" and "tied." To most Americans, Thanksgiving and turkey are inextricably linked. Inextricably is the adverb form of the adjective inextricable, which comes from the Latin word inextricabilis, meaning "cannot be disentangled." In your mind, summer and the beach are inextricably tied together because you've spent your vacation at the shore for as long as you can remember. Circumstances might inextricably link you and your neighbor when you're trapped in an elevator together for the longest nine hours of your life.
Vocabulary lists containing inextricably
"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Hidden Figures
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
It seems that Gyllenhaal isn’t experiencing a crisis of masculinity so much as a crisis of vulnerability — which is fitting, as the two are inextricably linked.
From Salon • May 27, 2026
Since then, she has been inextricably linked to her state.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
Despite all his "bad memories" he said he hopes to return one day to a country to which he now feels "inextricably tied."
From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026
Kelce’s recent years are inextricably linked to his fiance Taylor Swift.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2025
Somehow, the game had become inextricably linked in Harry’s mind with success or failure in his plans for Ginny.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
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.
