adj
C2
Proficient
inscrutable
ihn-SKROO-tuhbl
Inscrutable (adj) means Impossible to understand or interpret; mysterious. Example: “His inscrutable expression gave nothing away.”
adj
1
Impossible to understand or interpret; mysterious.
"She called my vanity license plate inscrutable! 'ICU81MI'? Hilarious!"
— Robert Carlock, Jack Gets in the Game (2007)
"His inscrutable expression gave nothing away."
"The ancient text remains largely inscrutable to modern scholars."
"His inscrutable theories would years later become the foundation of a whole new science."
How to use inscrutable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo hard to read or figure out that you cannot tell what is really going on.
Common pairings
inscrutable expression
remain inscrutable
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Word forms
- Plural
- inscrutables
- Comparative
- more inscrutable
- Superlative
- most inscrutable
Fill the gap
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His _____ expression gave nothing away.
Etymology
From Late Latin inscrutabilis — in- ("not") plus scrutari, "to examine closely."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for inscrutable
See all rhymes for inscrutable →Frequently asked questions
What does “inscrutable” mean?
The word “inscrutable” means impossible to understand or interpret; mysterious. In plain terms, so hard to read or figure out that you cannot tell what is really going on.
How do you pronounce “inscrutable”?
“Inscrutable” is pronounced ihn-SKROO-tuhbl (/ˌɪnˈskɹuːtəbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “inscrutable” in a sentence?
Here is “inscrutable” used in a sentence: “His inscrutable expression gave nothing away.”
What part of speech is “inscrutable”?
“Inscrutable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inscrutable” come from?
The word “inscrutable” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin inscrutabilis — in- ("not") plus scrutari, "to examine closely.".
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