Inapplicable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿšซ
Add to dictionary

inapplicable

[หŒษชnษ™หˆplษชkษ™b(ษ™)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?

arrow down
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?

arrow down
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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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 donโ€™t meet its requirements.
  • Lawyers frequently debate about what aspects of legislation are inapplicable to a specific clientโ€™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 studentsโ€™ 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.

Origin of 'inapplicable'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'inapplicable' originated from the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and the word 'applicable' meaning 'suitable or relevant'. It first appeared in the early 19th century. The concept of something being inapplicable has been essential in various fields such as law, science, and everyday language to describe things that are not relevant or suitable for a particular purpose.


See also: appliance, applicability, applicable, applicant, applicants, application, applicator, applied, applier, apply, applying, inapplicability, misapplication, misapply.

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.