ENGLISH
REFERENCE

infallible

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌɪnˈfæɫəbəɫ// UK //ɪnfˈæləbəl// in·fal·li·ble
Definition

adj. never making mistakes and always being right. It describes someone or something that is perfect and cannot fail.

adj. incapable of making errors or being wrong. Often used to describe systems, logic, or authorities that are considered beyond question.


SIMPLE

No human being is truly infallible.

CONTEXTUAL

The scientist admitted that even the most advanced computer models are not infallible and can produce incorrect results.

COMPLEX

While the leader projected an image of being infallible, the subsequent collapse of the policy revealed deep flaws in his initial reasoning.

Origin

From Medieval Latin infallibilis, from Latin in- + fallibilis. Compare French infaillible. By surface analysis, in- + fallible.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'.

Last updated May 11, 2026