Word
innumerable
Phoneticsin·nu·mer·able
US/ˌɪˈnumɝəbəɫ/
UK/ɪnjˈuːməɹəbəl/
Definition
adj. describes a very large number of things that you cannot count them all.
adj. too many to be counted or enumerated; often used for emphasis in formal or literary contexts.
Examples
“There are innumerable stars in the night sky.”
“The scientist spent decades collecting innumerable samples from the rainforest to study local biodiversity.”
“The historical record is filled with innumerable examples of civilizations that flourished for centuries before eventually succumbing to internal strife or environmental collapse.”
Examples
simple
“There are innumerable stars in the night sky.”
contextual
“The scientist spent decades collecting innumerable samples from the rainforest to study local biodiversity.”
complex
“The historical record is filled with innumerable examples of civilizations that flourished for centuries before eventually succumbing to internal strife or environmental collapse.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes.
Teaching tip
While it literally means 'cannot be counted', it is almost always used as a formal synonym for 'very many'.
Real-World Examples
“CSI may have spawned innumerable spinoffs, but it turns out you can't trust TV—or sniffer dogs.” “There’s a vertiginous video-game logic to Runner’s shin-splitting, anvil-heavy violence that at once unites the film with its innumerable Netflix brethren and also distinguishes it from them.” Etymology
From in- + numerable; from Middle English innumerable, from Latin innumerābilis, from in- + numerābilis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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- Formal
QR code
englishreference.com/q/innumerable