Inexplicable
/ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbəl/
Definitions
Impossible to explain or understand.
/ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbəl/
Impossible to explain or account for.
The child's sudden burst of laughter was inexplicable.
💡 Simply: Imagine you see something super weird and you can't figure out why it happened, no matter how hard you think about it. That's inexplicable! Like, why did the ice cream disappear from the freezer overnight?
👶 For kids: When something is inexplicable, it means you can't figure out why it happened.
More Examples
There was an inexplicable sadness in his eyes.
The success of the company was, to many, inexplicable.
How It's Used
"The sudden appearance of the lost dog was inexplicable."
"Scientists are still trying to explain the inexplicable phenomenon."
"The author explores the inexplicable nature of human emotion."
Idioms & expressions
inexplicable behavior
Actions or conduct that cannot be understood or easily accounted for.
"The suspect's inexplicable behavior during the interrogation raised suspicions."
an inexplicable feeling
A sensation or emotion that lacks a clear or logical origin.
"She had an inexplicable feeling of unease when she walked into the old house."
From Latin *inexplicabilis*, meaning 'that cannot be explained'; formed from *in-* (not) + *explicare* (to unfold, explain).
The word has been used since the early 17th century to describe things that cannot be explained. Its usage aligns with an emphasis on reason and rationalism, a topic of philosophical debate.
Memory tip
Imagine a puzzle with missing pieces; the situation is like that puzzle - you cannot find a rational explanation.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: explicare
Prefix: in- (not)