Incalculable: meaning, definitions and examples
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incalculable
[ˌɪnˈkalkjʊləb(ə)l ]
Definitions
amount
Too great to be calculated or estimated.
Synonyms
immeasurable, inestimable, unmeasurable.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| incalculable |
This word is often used to describe something that is beyond estimation due to its vastness or unpredictability. It can be applied to both positive and negative situations.
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| immeasurable |
This term highlights something that cannot be measured due to its immense extent or depth. It's typically used in a very positive context to emphasize greatness or significance.
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| inestimable |
Similar to 'incalculable', this word is used for something that cannot easily be quantified, usually because it is extremely valuable or important.
|
| unmeasurable |
This term focuses on the inability to measure something, often due to its abstract or intangible nature. It can be neutral or negative depending on the context.
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Examples of usage
- It's difficult to comprehend the incalculable amount of stars in the universe.
- The incalculable cost of the project led to its cancellation.
consequences
Having consequences that are impossible to foresee or predict.
Synonyms
uncertain, unforeseeable, unpredictable.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| incalculable |
Used when talking about something so vast or beyond measure that it cannot be calculated or comprehended, often in terms of large numbers or vast impacts.
|
| unpredictable |
Used when describing something that is not able to be predicted with certainty. It often has a slightly negative connotation when referring to undesirable changes or outcomes.
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| unforeseeable |
Used to talk about events or consequences that are impossible to predict or anticipate. Often used in formal or legal contexts.
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| uncertain |
Used when the outcome, result, or situation is not known or is subject to change. It can have a slightly negative or neutral connotation depending on the context.
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Examples of usage
- The incalculable impact of the pandemic on the economy is still unfolding.
- The incalculable risks associated with the new technology are a cause for concern.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- Derived from the Latin word 'incalculabilis', meaning 'not able to be counted'.
- The prefix 'in-' means 'not', and 'calculable' comes from 'calculare', which means 'to count' in Latin.
Mathematics
- In mathematics, there are quantities that can be estimated but not exactly calculated, often resulting from infinite series or complex computations.
- Some mathematical problems are deemed incalculable due to their complexity, like those involving chaos theory or certain types of asymptotic analysis.
Philosophy
- Philosophers argue that some human experiences, like love or the universe's mysteries, may be considered incalculable.
- In existential discussions, life's uncertainties can be termed incalculable, affecting our perception of fate and probability.
Literature
- Authors use the word to convey vast themes, such as the incalculable nature of human emotions or experiences in works like 'Moby Dick'.
- Poetry often employs incalculable imagery, portraying boundless landscapes or overwhelming feelings that resist measurement.
Science
- In environmental science, the true cost of climate change is often seen as incalculable due to unpredictable future effects.
- Astrophysics deals with variables in the universe that are often incalculable, especially when predicting cosmic events or behaviors.
Translations
Translations of the word "incalculable" in other languages:
🇵🇹 incalculável
🇮🇳 गणना से परे
🇩🇪 unberechenbar
🇮🇩 tak terhitung
🇺🇦 незліченний
🇵🇱 niezliczony
🇯🇵 計り知れない
🇫🇷 incalculable
🇪🇸 incalculable
🇹🇷 hesaplanamaz
🇰🇷 계산할 수 없는
🇸🇦 لا يمكن حسابه
🇨🇿 nevyčíslitelný
🇸🇰 nevyčísliteľný
🇨🇳 不可计算的
🇸🇮 neizračunljiv
🇮🇸 óútreiknanlegur
🇰🇿 есептеуге келмейтін
🇬🇪 არაკვლევადი
🇦🇿 hesablanmaz
🇲🇽 incalculable