Word
inexplicable
Phoneticsin·ex·pli·ca·ble, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnəksˈpɫɪsəbəɫ/
UK/ˌɪnɛksplˈɪkəbəl/
Definition
adj. impossible to explain or understand. You use this when something happens and there is no clear reason why.
adj. unable to be explained, accounted for, or understood through logic or reason. Often used to describe sudden changes in behavior or mysterious events.
Examples
“The car suddenly stopped for an inexplicable reason.”
“The team suffered an inexplicable loss despite being the heavy favorites to win the championship.”
“The detective was haunted by the inexplicable disappearance of the witness, as there were no signs of a struggle and the security cameras showed nothing unusual.”
Examples
simple
“The car suddenly stopped for an inexplicable reason.”
contextual
“The team suffered an inexplicable loss despite being the heavy favorites to win the championship.”
complex
“The detective was haunted by the inexplicable disappearance of the witness, as there were no signs of a struggle and the security cameras showed nothing unusual.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'remain' or 'seem'.
Real-World Examples
“It’s a decision that will no doubt please enemies of LGBTQ+ culture, but otherwise seems inexplicable.” “Edney says the sequestering issue was an “inexplicable” and “still unexplained” failure that occurred in one of Victoria’s most high-profile criminal trials.” Etymology
From Middle English inexplicable, from Middle French inexplicable, from Latin inexplicābilis, from in- (“not”) + explicābilis (“explicable”). By surface analysis, in- + explicable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/inexplicable