unteachable
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Explanation
If there's no way to instruct someone how to do something, either the thing or the person might be described as unteachable. Some people think that a sense of humor is unteachable — you're either funny, or you're not! While some subjects and concepts can be taught, others — the unteachable things — just can't. Math, grammar, and how to brush your teeth are all teachable. While not everyone agrees on what qualifies as being unteachable, some believe that talent and personal qualities like empathy, common sense, patience, and charisma fall into this category. Occasionally, a person may be described as unteachable, but this gives short shrift to the abilities of all humans to learn if they're taught in a way that works for them.
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.
"Back in Ukraine we were told he was unteachable, that there was no school for him," his mum Olga says as she makes packed lunches in the family's small kitchen.
From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2022
Cooking requires a certain level of skill and knowledge and a deep level of intuition, the latter being unteachable and none of it easily acquired.
From Salon ● Mar. 21, 2022
It’s a magical moment — George Saunders became George Saunders! — but one defined by unteachable randomness.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 7, 2021
“The unteachable things that he has is his feel for the game.”
From Washington Post ● Mar. 23, 2020
She said that she was unteachable, intractable, hopelessly stupid.
From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
