Inaccessibility: meaning, definitions and examples

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inaccessibility

 

[ ˌɪn.əkˌses.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

lack of availability

The state of being unable to be reached or entered. Inaccessibility can refer to physical barriers, such as a remote location or a locked gate, or to metaphorical barriers, such as a complex concept or an exclusive club.

Synonyms

impassability, unavailability, unreachability.

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Word Description / Examples
inaccessibility

Used when something is difficult to reach or obtain, often because it is physically blocked or restricted.

  • The inaccessibility of the remote village made it difficult for anyone to deliver supplies
unavailability

Describes something that is not obtainable or not present, often relating to services, products, or people.

  • Due to the unavailability of the ingredients, we had to change the recipe
impassability

Refers to a path or road that cannot be traveled, often because of physical obstacles like debris, snow, or other barriers.

  • The heavy snowfall led to the impassability of the mountain passes
unreachability

Implies that something or someone cannot be contacted or accessed, often due to physical distance or communication barriers.

  • His unreachability frustrated the team, as important decisions needed to be made

Examples of usage

  • The inaccessibility of the mountain peak made it a challenge for climbers.
  • The inaccessibility of the website frustrated users trying to access important information.
Context #2 | Noun

difficulty in understanding

The quality of being difficult to reach or comprehend. Inaccessibility in this sense often refers to abstract ideas or intellectual concepts that are hard to grasp or interpret.

Synonyms

abstruseness, complexity, obscurity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inaccessibility

Used to describe something that is difficult or impossible to reach or obtain, such as a remote location or restricted information.

  • The inaccessibility of the mountain peak makes it a challenge for climbers.
  • Due to the inaccessibility of the data, we couldn't complete the analysis.
complexity

Describes something with many interconnected parts that make it complicated or intricate. It can apply to both tangible and intangible subjects.

  • The complexity of the legal system can be overwhelming for those without a law degree.
  • He marveled at the complexity of the computer software.
obscurity

Used to indicate something that is not well-known, hard to understand, or hidden from view. It often carries a connotation of being overlooked or forgotten.

  • The poet's work remained in obscurity until long after her death.
  • Because of its obscurity, the ancient manuscript was only recently discovered.
abstruseness

Refers to something that is hard to understand because it is deep, complex, or obscure, often used in academic or intellectual contexts.

  • The abstruseness of the philosopher's theories makes them difficult to grasp.
  • Many students struggle with the abstruseness of advanced mathematics.

Examples of usage

  • The inaccessibility of the scientific paper made it challenging for non-experts to understand.
  • The inaccessibility of the novel's plot left readers confused.

Translations

Translations of the word "inaccessibility" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inacessibilidade

🇮🇳 अप्रवेश्यता

🇩🇪 Unzugänglichkeit

🇮🇩 ketidaktersediaan

🇺🇦 недоступність

🇵🇱 niedostępność

🇯🇵 アクセス不可

🇫🇷 inaccessibilité

🇪🇸 inaccesibilidad

🇹🇷 ulaşılamazlık

🇰🇷 접근 불가

🇸🇦 عدم الوصول

🇨🇿 nedostupnost

🇸🇰 nedostupnosť

🇨🇳 无法访问

🇸🇮 nedostopnost

🇮🇸 óstöðugleiki

🇰🇿 қолжетімсіздік

🇬🇪 მიუწვდომლობა

🇦🇿 əlçatmazlıq

🇲🇽 inaccesibilidad

Etymology

The word 'inaccessibility' originated from the combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and the word 'accessibility', which comes from the Latin 'accessibilis' meaning 'approachable' or 'easy to reach'. The concept of inaccessibility has been present throughout history, with physical barriers and intellectual challenges often being described using this term.

See also: access, accessibility, accessibilize, accessible, accessibly, accessing, accessory, inaccessible, inaccessibly, unaccessibility.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,077, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.