# irreplaceable

/ˌɪɹəˈpɫeɪsəbəɫ/ (US) · /ɪɹɪplˈeɪsəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/irreplaceable
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

describing something or someone so special or unique that they cannot be replaced if lost.

For teachers: impossible to replace if lost or damaged; unique in value or significance. Often used to describe people with unique skills or items of immense sentimental or historical value.

## Examples

- This old family photo is irreplaceable.
- The museum lost several irreplaceable artifacts during the flood last winter.
- While most equipment in the laboratory can be reordered, the decades of handwritten research notes are entirely irreplaceable and must be stored in a fireproof safe.

## Pitfalls

- Not "an unreplaceable loss" but "an irreplaceable loss" — While 'un-' is a common prefix for negation, 'irreplaceable' is the standard form for this specific word.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a predicative adjective after 'be' or 'seem', or as an attributive adjective before a noun.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.