adjective C1 Advanced

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

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 notes

In plain EnglishSo strange or mysterious there's simply no explaining it.

Common pairings

for some inexplicable reason utterly inexplicable

Word forms

more inexplicable comparative, inexplicables plural, most inexplicable superlative

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For some _____ reason, the lights kept flickering all night.

Etymology

From Latin inexplicābilis — in- ("not") + explicābilis ("explicable").

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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incomprehensible

Related words

understandable incomprehensible

Rhymes for inexplicable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

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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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