inexpressible

American  

[in-ik-spres-uh-buhl] / ˌɪn ɪkˈsprɛs ə bəl /

adjective

1. not expressible; incapable of being uttered or described in words.

   a scene of inexpressible beauty.

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noun

1. Archaic. inexpressibles, trousers; pants.

inexpressible British  

/ ˌɪnɪkˈsprɛsəbəl /

adjective

1. too great, etc, to be expressed or uttered; indescribable

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Other Word Forms

• inexpressibility noun
• inexpressibleness noun
• inexpressibly adverb

Etymology

Origin of inexpressible

First recorded in 1615–25; in- ³ + expressible ( def. )

Example Sentences

The often monumental sculptures serve as challenging and emotional reminders of the vital role of art to express the inexpressible.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

“It’s an exorcism of sorts, to put into words and symbols this almost inexpressible anguish. That was why I started, to try and alleviate the despair.”

From Washington Post • Nov. 7, 2022

Like those pilots, in Vietnam I connected and cried with people I'd never met, people who live on the other side of the world and who endured inexpressible suffering.

From Salon • Nov. 5, 2022

This includes what can be expressed and what is inexpressible, what leaders should or should not tell people and the whole inexplicable issue of worthiness and sacrifice for common good.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2020

Certain common ideas become inexpressible; other, previously undreamt-of ones spring to life, finding miraculous new articulation.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt