insolvable

[ in-sol-vuh-buh l ]

/ ɪnˈsɒl və bəl /

adjective

incapable of being solved or explained; insoluble.

Nearby words

insole, insolence, insolent, insolubilize, insoluble, insolvable, insolvency, insolvency provision, insolvent, insomnia, insomniac

Origin of insolvable

First recorded in 1640–50; in-³ + solvable

Related forms

in·solv·a·bil·i·ty, nounin·solv·a·bly, adverb

Can be confused

insoluble insolvable unsolvable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for insolvable

Heredity thus becomes a convenient name by which to denominate the insolvable.
A Plea for the Criminal|James Leslie Allan Kayll
This part of the inventive problem, to many an inventor, is insolvable for many reasons.
Inventors & Inventions|Henry Robinson
As for her words, they were like her conduct, an insolvable mystery, for which he had no key.
Hand and Ring|Anna Katharine Green
It is one of the most insolvable questions in history why so little effort was made by the French to save the Maid's life.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VII|John Lord

Sir Peter Laurie passes so quickly from hyper-loyalty to downright treason, that he is an insolvable problem.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 1, December 18, 1841|Various

British Dictionary definitions for insolvable

insolvable

/ (ɪnˈsɒlvəbəl) /

adjective

another word for insoluble (def. 2)

Derived Forms

insolvability, nouninsolvably, adverb

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