adjective
C1
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inexplicable
ihn-ihk-SPLIH-kuh-bl
Inexplicable (adjective) means Impossible to explain or understand. Example: “For some inexplicable reason, the lights kept flickering all night.”
adjective
1
Impossible to explain or understand.
"For some inexplicable reason, the lights kept flickering all night."
"Her sudden change of heart was inexplicable to her friends."
How to use inexplicable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo strange or mysterious there's simply no explaining it.
Common pairings
for some inexplicable reason
utterly inexplicable
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Word forms
- Plural
- inexplicables
- Comparative
- more inexplicable
- Superlative
- most inexplicable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
For some _____ reason, the lights kept flickering all night.
Etymology
From Latin inexplicābilis — in- ("not") + explicābilis ("explicable").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
explicable
Related words
Rhymes for inexplicable
See all rhymes for inexplicable →Frequently asked questions
What does “inexplicable” mean?
The word “inexplicable” means impossible to explain or understand. In plain terms, so strange or mysterious there's simply no explaining it.
How do you pronounce “inexplicable”?
“Inexplicable” is pronounced ihn-ihk-SPLIH-kuh-bl (/ˌɪn.ɪkˈsplɪ.kə.bl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “inexplicable” in a sentence?
Here is “inexplicable” used in a sentence: “For some inexplicable reason, the lights kept flickering all night.”
What part of speech is “inexplicable”?
“Inexplicable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inexplicable” come from?
The word “inexplicable” comes from Latin. From Latin inexplicābilis — in- ("not") + explicābilis ("explicable").
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