Unbelievable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคฏ
Add to dictionary

unbelievable

[หŒสŒnbษชหˆliหvษ™b(ษ™)l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

incredibly surprising

Unbelievable means something that is so surprising or extraordinary that it is hard to believe. It is often used to describe events, stories, or situations that are beyond belief.

Synonyms

astonishing, incredible, remarkable, unimaginable.

Examples of usage

  • That movie was so unbelievable, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
  • The amount of support we received was truly unbelievable.
Context #2 | Adjective

not able to be believed

Unbelievable can also mean something that is not able to be believed or accepted as true. It can be used to express skepticism or doubt about a claim or statement.

Synonyms

dubious, implausible, unconvincing, unlikely.

Examples of usage

  • Their excuse for being late was so unbelievable, I knew they were lying.
  • It's unbelievable that he managed to finish the race despite his injury.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • The term 'unbelievable' has been widely used in movies and TV, often to describe shocking twists or extraordinary events.
  • One popular use is in the movie and TV show 'Unbelievable', which discusses themes of truth and belief in difficult circumstances.

Psychology

  • Cognitive dissonance happens when we encounter unbelievable situations, causing mental discomfort as we struggle to reconcile different beliefs.
  • People are more likely to share unbelievable stories or news, as they capture attention and provoke strong emotional reactions.

Literature

  • Many authors use unbelievable scenarios to challenge readersโ€™ perceptions, creating suspense and engaging plots.
  • An example is 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', where the absurd and unbelievable becomes the norm in the narrative.

Science

  • In scientific research, findings can sometimes seem unbelievable, leading to skepticism before they are accepted by the broader community.
  • The concept of 'unbelievability' can often lead to breakthroughs in science, where new discoveries challenge existing beliefs.

Origin of 'unbelievable'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'believe', which originates from old English 'be-Liefan', meaning 'to hold dear or trust'.
  • It first appeared in the English language in the late 19th century, indicating extreme disbelief.

The word 'unbelievable' originated from the combination of 'un-' (meaning 'not') and 'believable.' It first appeared in the 15th century, evolving from the Old French word 'incredible.' Over time, 'unbelievable' has come to be widely used in English to convey the idea of something extraordinary or not easily accepted as true.


See also: belief, beliefs, believability, believable, believe, believer, believers, disbelieve, disbeliever, disbelieving, nonbeliever, nonbelieving, unbelievability, unbelievably, unbelieving, unbelievingly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,715, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.