How Do You Spell INEFFABLE?

Pronunciation: [ɪnˈɛfəbə͡l] (IPA)

The word "ineffable" (ɪnˈɛfəbəl) is one that can trip up even the most skilled spellers. The root of the word is "effable," which means capable of being expressed in words. The prefix "in-" negates this, meaning the word is used to describe something that cannot be put into words. The tricky part is the double "f" in the middle of the word, which can be easily confused with a single "f." However, with practice and familiarity, the correct spelling of "ineffable" can become second nature.

INEFFABLE Meaning and Definition

  1. The adjective "ineffable" refers to something that is indescribable, beyond words, or impossible to express adequately using language. It describes a quality or experience that surpasses the limits of human understanding, typically due to its extreme beauty, intensity, or complexity.

    When used to describe an object, event, or phenomenon, ineffable denotes something that is beyond the scope of verbal or written expression. It implies that the subject is so profound, extraordinary, or overwhelming that it defies any words or descriptions that could capture its full essence or convey its magnitude.

    It is often employed when referring to emotions, such as the feeling of awe, love, or profound happiness that is too powerful or overwhelming for words. In such cases, ineffable suggests that the experience is transcendent, leaving individuals unable to fully articulate or articulate it to others accurately.

    The full expression of the term also implies a sense of mystery or sacredness, suggesting that the reality in question lies beyond the boundaries of human language and comprehension. Thus, when something is ineffable, it resists attempts to be adequately conveyed or encapsulated by human means, remaining an elusive and enigmatic presence.

    Overall, the term "ineffable" encapsulates the inaccessibility of an experience, quality, or phenomenon through language, highlighting its transcendence, profundity, and ungraspable nature.

  2. Unutterable; incapable of being expressed in words, used only in a good sense.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for INEFFABLE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for INEFFABLE

Etymology of INEFFABLE

The word "ineffable" comes from the Latin word "ineffabilis", which is derived from the prefix "in-" (meaning "not") and the word "effabilis" (meaning "speakable" or "utterable"). Ultimately, it originates from the Latin verb "effari", meaning "to speak out". Over time, "ineffabilis" entered the English language as "ineffable" around the 15th century, maintaining its meaning of something that is too great or extraordinary to be expressed or described adequately in words.

Similar spelling word for INEFFABLE

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: