# unmanageable

/ənˈmænɪdʒəbəɫ/ (US) · /ʌnmˈænɪdʒəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unmanageable
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

too big, difficult, or wild for you to control or handle. You use it when something keeps growing or getting worse and you cannot keep it under control.

For teachers: difficult or impossible to control, handle, or keep within limits. Often modified by degree adverbs such as 'almost' or 'completely', and frequently describes situations, behaviour, or quantities that exceed available resources.

## Examples

- The weeds in the garden become unmanageable every summer.
- After the storm, the workload at the shelter becomes unmanageable with only three volunteers on duty.
- What began as a small debt grew into an unmanageable burden that shaped every choice the family made for a decade.

## Usage notes

- Often follows linking verbs such as 'become' or 'prove'; also used before nouns to describe behaviour, hair, workloads, or debt.

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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.