Unaccountably: meaning, definitions and examples

🤔

Add to dictionary

unaccountably

[ˌənəˈkaʊntəbli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

mystery

In a way that is difficult to explain or understand

Synonyms

inexplicably, mysteriously, strangely.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unaccountably	This word is best used when something happens for no clear or logical reason, and there is an emphasis on the lack of explanation. He felt unaccountably sad this morning. The money disappeared unaccountably from the account.
mysteriously	This word is useful when describing an event or situation that is puzzling and could be linked to something secretive or unknown. The door opened mysteriously, as if moved by an unseen hand. He mysteriously vanished without a trace.
inexplicably	Use this word when something cannot be explained or understood, even after considering all possible reasons or causes. She inexplicably missed her flight despite being at the airport on time. The machine stopped working inexplicably during the test run.
strangely	Use this word when an event or situation is odd or unusual, and doesn’t fit with what is normally expected. She felt strangely calm before the exam. The weather has been strangely warm this winter.

Examples of usage

The book suddenly ends unaccountably.
She felt unaccountably nervous before the interview.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

responsibility

Without being asked to explain or justify one's actions

Synonyms

surprisingly, unexpectedly, unpredictably.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unaccountably	Used when something cannot be explained or when there is no logical reason for something to happen. She felt unaccountably sad despite the good news
unexpectedly	Used to describe something that happens without warning or when you do not anticipate it, can be either positive or negative. The meeting was unexpectedly canceled at the last minute
surprisingly	Used when something occurs that is not expected but is often pleasant or notable. Surprisingly, he passed the exam without studying much
unpredictably	Used when something happens in a way that cannot be predicted, often implying a lack of pattern or consistency. The weather has been unpredictably changing every hour

Examples of usage

He left the party unaccountably early.
She unaccountably forgot to pick up the dry cleaning.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'accountable', which means responsible or answerable.
It has roots in Middle English, where 'account' meant to give an account or explain something.
The combination reflects a sense of being unable to explain one's actions or situations.

Psychology

Feelings or behaviors that occur unaccountably may be tied to subconscious memories or experiences.
The phenomenon of unaccountable memories is often explored in studies related to trauma and dissociative disorders.
When people react unaccountably, it can point to complex emotional undercurrents that aren’t immediately obvious.

Literature

The word is often used in fiction to create an air of mystery or suspense, such as characters behaving in unpredictable ways.
Writers like Virginia Woolf used 'unaccountably' to reflect the complexity of human emotions in her narratives.
It appears in poetry and prose to evoke a sense of the inexplicable, adding depth to characters' experiences.

Pop Culture

The concept of unaccountable behavior is a theme in many mystery and thriller movies, where characters act without clear motives.
In TV shows, characters often find themselves in unaccountable situations that lead to comedic or dramatic plots.
Songs expressing feelings of confusion or misunderstanding often refer to actions taken unaccountably.

Philosophy

Unaccountably can relate to discussions on free will, where individuals act in ways that are not easily justified.
Philosophers ponder the nature of actions that cannot be justified, indicating deeper issues of intent and morality.
It raises questions about the essence of human existence and understanding one's own actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "unaccountably" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inexplicavelmente

🇮🇳 अकथनीय रूप से

🇩🇪 unerklärlicherweise

🇮🇩 tanpa alasan yang jelas

🇺🇦 незрозуміло

🇵🇱 niewytłumaczalnie

🇯🇵 説明できないほど

🇫🇷 inexplicablement

🇪🇸 inexplicablemente

🇹🇷 anlaşılmaz bir şekilde

🇰🇷 설명할 수 없는

🇸🇦 بشكل غير مبرر

🇨🇿 nevysvětlitelně

🇸🇰 nevysvetliteľne

🇨🇳 莫名其妙地

🇸🇮 nerazložljivo

🇮🇸 óútskýranlega

🇰🇿 түсініксіз түрде

🇬🇪 განუმარტებლად

🇦🇿 izaholunmaz şəkildə

🇲🇽 inexplicablemente

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,826, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
26823 overcharged
26824 vocalization
26825 fiesta
26826 unaccountably
26827 fruity
26828 patrilineal
26829 seaworthy
...