# unimaginable

/ˌənɪˈmædʒɪnəbəɫ/ (US) · /ˌʌnɪmˈædʒɪnəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unimaginable
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

impossible to think of or imagine because it is so extreme, big, or unusual. You use this when something is so different from your life that you cannot picture it.

For teachers: impossible to comprehend or conceive of mentally. Often used to describe extreme scales of suffering, wealth, or complexity that exceed ordinary human experience.

## Examples

- The scale of the disaster was unimaginable.
- Living in a world without the internet is almost unimaginable for the younger generation.
- The explorers faced unimaginable hardships as they trekked across the frozen wasteland with dwindling supplies and no hope of rescue.

## Usage notes

- Often used to modify nouns representing abstract concepts like 'wealth', 'pain', 'cruelty', or 'beauty'.

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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.