English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adjective B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

irresistible

ihr-ih-ZIHS-tuh-buhl

Irresistible (adjective) means So strong or powerful that it cannot be resisted or stopped. Example: “The urge to check her phone was irresistible.”

adjective
1
So strong or powerful that it cannot be resisted or stopped.
"The urge to check her phone was irresistible."
"The army faced an irresistible wave of enemy troops."
2
So attractive or appealing that it is impossible to say no to.
"The smell of fresh bread from the bakery was irresistible."
"He found her sense of humour irresistible."

How to use irresistible

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishToo strong, tempting, or powerful to say no to or fight against.

Common pairings
an irresistible urge irresistible charm find something irresistible

Word forms

more irresistible comparative, most irresistible superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “irresistible” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The urge to check her phone was _____.

Etymology

Borrowed via Medieval Latin irresistibilis, built from ir- ("not") plus resistible.

Origin: Medieval Latin

Related words

Rhymes for irresistible

See all rhymes for irresistible →

Frequently asked questions

What does “irresistible” mean?

The word “irresistible” means so strong or powerful that it cannot be resisted or stopped. In plain terms, too strong, tempting, or powerful to say no to or fight against.

How do you pronounce “irresistible”?

“Irresistible” is pronounced ihr-ih-ZIHS-tuh-buhl (/ˌɪɹ.ɪˈzɪs.tə.bəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “irresistible” in a sentence?

Here is “irresistible” used in a sentence: “The urge to check her phone was irresistible.”

What is another word for “irresistible”?

Words with a similar meaning to “irresistible” include overpowering.

What part of speech is “irresistible”?

“Irresistible” is an adjective.

Where does the word “irresistible” come from?

The word “irresistible” comes from Medieval Latin. Borrowed via Medieval Latin irresistibilis, built from ir- ("not") plus resistible.

Is “irresistible” a common word?

“Irresistible” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “irresistible” have?

“Irresistible” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: so strong or powerful that it cannot be resisted or stopped.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial