Ineffable
Word of the Day
What is Ineffable?
adjective
Too great, extreme, or sacred to be described or expressed in words.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to remind us that language has limits — and some beauty, grief, or awe simply cannot be spoken.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The beauty of the sunset over the desert was ineffable.
He felt an ineffable sense of peace after the ceremony.
The ineffable mystery of life has inspired poets for centuries.
Word Origins
Latin ineffabilis, from in- (not) + effari (to speak out)
Originally used in religious contexts to describe the divine or sacred, now also used more broadly for emotional or sublime experiences.
First appearance in English: 14th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Noun:
The ineffability of the moment left him speechless.
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Adverb:
The room was ineffably quiet, filled with reverence.
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Verb:
Some feelings cannot be expressed — they are ineffable.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: inefable
- French: ineffable
- German: unbeschreiblich
- Italian: ineffabile
- Portuguese: inefável
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Sublime
“Sublime” emphasizes beauty and awe; “ineffable” focuses on the inability to describe it.
Transcendent
“Transcendent” implies going beyond the ordinary; “ineffable” focuses on what can’t be described.
Profound
“Profound” is deep and thoughtful; “ineffable” adds a layer of speechlessness or sacredness.
Fun Facts
- “Ineffable” was frequently used in Victorian literature to convey refined emotions.
- The word was used to describe the Tetragrammaton, the sacred name of God that was considered unutterable.
Cultural Usage
- Writers like Emily Dickinson and Rainer Maria Rilke often explored ineffable emotions and spiritual longing.
- Mystics and philosophers have long debated the ineffable nature of the divine or the sublime.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes confused with “indescribable”; “ineffable” carries a deeper sense of reverence or grandeur.
Micro Story
Standing at the edge of the canyon, she felt an ineffable mix of awe and humility.