unmentionable

[uhn-men-shuh-nuh-buhl]

adjective

1. not mentionable; inappropriate, unfit, or improper for mention, as in polite conversation; unspeakable.

noun

1. something that is not to be mentioned.

   That subject was classed among the unmentionables.

2. unmentionables,

   1. undergarments.

   2. (formerly) trousers or breeches.

unmentionable

/ ʌnˈmɛnʃənəbəl /

adjective

1. 1. unsuitable or forbidden as a topic of conversation

   2. ( as noun )

      the unmentionable

Other Word Forms

• unmentionableness noun
• unmentionably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unmentionable¹

First recorded in 1820–30; un- ¹ + mentionable

Example Sentences

But it’s the one-two punch of mentioning comedy’s unmentionable performer and the cancel culture boogeyman that generated headlines and tossed lighter fluid and a flipped Zippo onto the social media discourse.

From Salon

That relationship, once an unmentionable topic, is now on the agenda of the winning party.

From BBC

Her continued focus on class, the great American unmentionable, made Ms. Tax a distinct voice.

From New York Times

Jefferson concurred, though the subject touched the most explosive issue of all—namely, the unmentionable fact of slavery.

From Literature

Family friends recalled Irina McCarthy as her mother’s best friend and their own children’s favorite babysitter, who calmly read aloud the definitions of “various unmentionable words” as the kids giggled endlessly.

From Seattle Times