unknowable

[uhn-noh-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. not knowable; incapable of being known or understood.

noun

1. something that is unknowable.

2. the Unknowable, the postulated reality lying behind all phenomena but not cognizable by any of the processes by which the mind cognizes phenomenal objects.

unknowable

¹

/ ʌnˈnəʊəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being known or understood

2. 1. beyond human understanding

   2. ( as noun )

      the unknowable

Unknowable

²

/ ʌnˈnəʊəbəl /

noun

1. philosophy the ultimate reality that underlies all phenomena but cannot be known

Other Word Forms

• unknowableness noun
• unknowably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unknowable¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; un- ¹, knowable

Example Sentences

One source suggested frankly, even for those who work closely alongside him, it's often hard to work out what the prime minister thinks, telling me: "He often appears unknowable."

From BBC

Some of those who do answer are previous callers who, for unknowable reasons that make sense only to them, also feel compelled to visit the booth.

From Los Angeles Times

“Nobody knows me. My one dominant quality is I’m unknowable,” Demascus tells her.

From Los Angeles Times

Floating in the vastness of unknowable space, our miniscule planet contains all of our stories — victories and tragedies orbiting around a dying star.

From Los Angeles Times

The arc on the writers’ room wall gives you an illusion of control and intention, but the real road is unknowable.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baffling 
• cryptic 
• curious 
• dark 
• enigmatic 
• inexplicable 
• inscrutable 
• magical 
• mystical 
• mystifying www.thesaurus.com
• obscure 
• perplexing 
• puzzling 
• secretive 
• strange 
• unknown 
• weird