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Unspeakable: meaning, definitions and examples

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unspeakable

 

[ ʌnˈspiːkəbl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

extreme emotion

The term 'unspeakable' refers to something that is so extraordinary, horrifying, or shocking that it cannot be adequately expressed in words. It often describes experiences, actions, or events that evoke strong emotions, such as fear or grief. The use of the term emphasizes the inadequacy of language to convey the depth of the experience. This word is frequently used in literary and dramatic contexts to heighten the emotional impact of a situation or description.

Synonyms

indescribable, inexpressible, unspeakably tragic, unutterable.

Examples of usage

  • The unspeakable tragedy left the community in mourning.
  • She felt an unspeakable joy when she saw her family again.
  • The unspeakable horrors of war can leave lasting scars.
  • He witnessed an unspeakable act that no one should ever see.

Translations

Translations of the word "unspeakable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 indescritível

🇮🇳 अवर्णनीय

🇩🇪 unbeschreiblich

🇮🇩 tak terlukiskan

🇺🇦 невимовний

🇵🇱 niewypowiedziany

🇯🇵 言葉にできない

🇫🇷 indescriptible

🇪🇸 indescriptible

🇹🇷 tarif edilemez

🇰🇷 말할 수 없는

🇸🇦 لا يوصف

🇨🇿 nevyslovitelný

🇸🇰 nepovedateľný

🇨🇳 无法形容的

🇸🇮 neizrekljiv

🇮🇸 óútskýranlegt

🇰🇿 сөзбен айтып жеткізгісіз

🇬🇪 არასათქმელი

🇦🇿 ifadə olunmaz

🇲🇽 indescriptible

Etymology

The word 'unspeakable' is derived from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and the word 'speakable,' which itself comes from 'speak.' The term 'speakable' originates from Old English 'specan,' which means 'to speak or tell,' and its evolution is tied to the roots of expression and communication. The combination of these elements conveys the notion of something so severe or appalling that it cannot be articulated. The earliest recorded uses of 'unspeakable' date back to the mid-17th century, predominantly appearing in literary contexts to describe profound feelings or unimaginable situations, reinforcing its emotional weight.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,945, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.