Impenetrable: meaning, definitions and examples

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impenetrable

 

[ ɪmˈpenɪtrəb(ə)l ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

difficult to understand

Not able to be penetrated; impenetrable barriers. Impossible to understand or interpret.

Synonyms

incomprehensible, inscrutable, unfathomable

Examples of usage

  • The impenetrable language of legal documents made it hard for the average person to comprehend.
  • The complexity of the scientific theory was impenetrable to most students.
Context #2 | Adjective

hard to pass through

Impossible to pass through or enter. Impassable.

Synonyms

impassable, impermeable, unyielding

Examples of usage

  • The dense forest was so impenetrable that even experienced hikers got lost.
  • The fog was so thick that it created an impenetrable wall of visibility.

Translations

Translations of the word "impenetrable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impenetrável

🇮🇳 अभेद्य

🇩🇪 undurchdringlich

🇮🇩 tidak dapat ditembus

🇺🇦 непроникний

🇵🇱 nieprzenikniony

🇯🇵 不浸透性

🇫🇷 impénétrable

🇪🇸 impenetrable

🇹🇷 geçilemez

🇰🇷 뚫을 수 없는

🇸🇦 لا يمكن اختراقه

🇨🇿 neproniknutelný

🇸🇰 nepriestupný

🇨🇳 不可穿透的

🇸🇮 neprebojen

🇮🇸 ógegndræptur

🇰🇿 өткiзбейтiн

🇬🇪 გაუვალი

🇦🇿 keçilməz

🇲🇽 impenetrable

Etymology

The word 'impenetrable' comes from the Latin word 'impenetrabilis', which is derived from the prefix 'in-' (not) and 'penetrare' (to penetrate). The term has been used in English since the late 16th century to describe something that cannot be penetrated or understood.

See also: penetrability, penetrable, penetrating, penetratingly, penetration, penetrative.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,219, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.