unapproachable

[ uhn-uh-proh-chuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not capable of being approached; remote; unreachable:

   an unapproachable spot; an unapproachable person.

   Synonyms: cold, austere, distant, aloof, inaccessible

2. impossible to equal or rival:

   unapproachable mastery of her art.

unapproachable

/ ˌʌnəˈprəʊtʃəbəl /

adjective

1. discouraging intimacy, friendliness, etc; aloof
2. inaccessible
3. not to be rivalled

Derived Forms

• ˌunapˈproachably, adverb
• ˌunapˈproachableness, noun

Other Words From

• unap·proacha·bili·ty unap·proacha·ble·ness noun
• unap·proacha·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unapproachable¹

First recorded in 1575–85; un- ¹ + approachable

Example Sentences

Drawing tablets can feel unapproachable because it’s a niche piece of gear, but everyone’s needs are valid.

From Popular-Science

The reason you don’t see it in stores is that it’s so unapproachable because it has to be dried in order to be shelf-stable.

From Freakonomics

These have subsequently proved unapproachable by other athletes.

From The Daily Beast

He had met her before on other occasions, but she had seemed to him unapproachable until that day.

From Project Gutenberg

There are many gradations of dirt and various degrees of saturation from salt water, but this combination is unapproachable.

From Project Gutenberg

Steam and electricity opened to industry the interior of continents previously regarded as unapproachable.

From Project Gutenberg

Silent, enduring, wrapped in memories, it stood gray and unapproachable.

From Project Gutenberg

He would get working at the forge, he said, and ruin his hands for the delicate art in which he was now unapproachable.

From Project Gutenberg