Inapplicable: meaning, definitions and examples

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inapplicable

 

[ˌɪnəˈplɪkəb(ə)l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

not relevant

Not capable of being applied or used; not relevant or appropriate.

Synonyms

immaterial, irrelevant, unsuitable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inapplicable

Used when something cannot logically be applied in a particular situation or context.

  • The rule is inapplicable in this case.
  • His skills were inapplicable to the new job.
irrelevant

Used when something is not related or pertinent to the current subject or issue. Often carries a negative connotation.

  • His opinions are irrelevant to the discussion.
  • We need to ignore irrelevant details.
immaterial

Used to describe something that is not important or relevant to the matter at hand.

  • The judge ruled that the evidence was immaterial.
  • Whether he likes it or not is immaterial.
unsuitable

Used to describe something that is not appropriate or fitting for a specific purpose or situation.

  • The dress was unsuitable for the event.
  • He was deemed unsuitable for the position.

Examples of usage

  • This rule is inapplicable in this situation.
  • The information provided was completely inapplicable to our research.
Context #2 | Adjective

not suitable

Not suitable or appropriate in a particular situation.

Synonyms

inappropriate, unfit, unsuitable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inapplicable

This word is used when something does not apply or is not relevant in a particular situation.

  • The rules of the old system are inapplicable to the new procedure
  • The test results are inapplicable to adults as the experiment was conducted on children
unsuitable

This word is used when something is not suitable or not appropriate for a particular purpose or role.

  • The movie was found to be unsuitable for children
  • This land is unsuitable for farming
inappropriate

This word is used when something is not suitable or proper in the context, often with a negative connotation.

  • His comments were considered inappropriate for the formal event
  • Wearing casual clothes to a job interview is inappropriate
unfit

This word is used when something or someone is not suitable or qualified for a specific purpose or position, often implying inadequacy.

  • The car is unfit for long drives due to its old engine
  • He was deemed unfit for the army due to health issues

Examples of usage

  • His suggestions were inapplicable to our current project.
  • The standard procedures proved to be inapplicable in this unique case.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Latin 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'applicabilis' meaning 'able to be applied'.
  • Inapplicable has roots in Middle French, where similar forms were developed from the Latin origins.
  • It first appeared in English around the early 19th century, reflecting changes in legal and academic language.

Legal Terminology

  • Inapplicable is often used in legal contexts to denote laws or clauses that do not pertain to certain cases.
  • A rule can be deemed inapplicable if the specific circumstances of a situation don’t meet its requirements.
  • Lawyers frequently debate about what aspects of legislation are inapplicable to a specific client’s case.

Psychology

  • Inapplicable information can lead to cognitive overload, where too much irrelevant data can confuse decision-making.
  • This term relates to how people filter relevant from irrelevant information when learning or problem-solving.
  • Recognizing inapplicable details is a crucial skill in developing critical thinking and effective communication.

Education

  • Inapplicability in educational materials may affect how well students can engage and learn from content.
  • Students often express feelings of inapplicability regarding standardized tests that they find do not reflect real-world knowledge or skills.
  • Teachers adapt lessons to ensure that material is applicable to students’ lives, avoiding inapplicable concepts that yield little benefit.

Pop Culture

  • In pop culture, characters may experience inapplicable methods or ideas, often leading to humorous situations in movies or TV shows.
  • Inapplicable ideas are often used in satire to critique concepts that don't work in the real world, making audiences laugh while challenging norms.
  • Memes often highlight inapplicable advice, humorous takes on life hacks that simply don't fit everyday situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "inapplicable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inaplicável

🇮🇳 अप्रासंगिक

🇩🇪 nicht anwendbar

🇮🇩 tidak berlaku

🇺🇦 непридатний

🇵🇱 niezastosowalny

🇯🇵 適用できない

🇫🇷 inapplicable

🇪🇸 inaplicable

🇹🇷 uygulanamaz

🇰🇷 적용할 수 없는

🇸🇦 غير قابل للتطبيق

🇨🇿 nepoužitelný

🇸🇰 nepoužiteľný

🇨🇳 不适用

🇸🇮 neuporaben

🇮🇸 óviðkomandi

🇰🇿 қолданылмайды

🇬🇪 გამოუყენებელი

🇦🇿 tətbiq edilə bilməz

🇲🇽 inaplicable

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,690, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.