Word
irreparable
Phoneticsir·repara·ble
US/ˌɪˈɹɛpɝəbəɫ/
UK/ɪɹˈɛpəɹəbəl/
Definition
adj. describing something that cannot be fixed or repaired. If you make a mistake that is irreparable, it is impossible to change the situation back to how it was before.
adj. incapable of being restored to a former condition or state. Often used to describe damage, errors, or relationships that cannot be undone.
Examples
“The damage to the old bridge is irreparable.”
“The company's reputation suffered irreparable harm after the scandal broke in the national news.”
“Legal scholars argue that the constitutional crisis caused irreparable harm to the separation of powers, making it impossible to restore the previous balance of authority.”
Examples
simple
“The damage to the old bridge is irreparable.”
contextual
“The company's reputation suffered irreparable harm after the scandal broke in the national news.”
complex
“Legal scholars argue that the constitutional crisis caused irreparable harm to the separation of powers, making it impossible to restore the previous balance of authority.”
Real-World Examples
“For months, California has sought to stop Sable from moving oil through pipelines, describing the company’s actions as an “egregious trespass on public land” that would cause irreparable harm.” “The president's legal team said disclosure of the financial records would cause him "irreparable harm".” Etymology
From Middle French irréparable, from Old French, from Latin irreparabilis, equivalent to ir- + reparable.
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.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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QR code
englishreference.com/q/irreparable