First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
ineffable
adjective in·ef·fa·ble \(ˌ)i-ˈne-fə-bəl\
: too great, powerful, beautiful, etc., to be described or expressed
Full Definition of INEFFABLE
1
a : incapable of being expressed in words : indescribable <ineffable joy> b : unspeakable <ineffable disgust>
2
: not to be uttered : taboo <the ineffable name of Jehovah>
— in·ef·fa·bil·i·ty \-ˌne-fə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— in·ef·fa·ble·ness \-ˈne-fə-bəl-nəs\ noun
— in·ef·fa·bly \-blē\ adverb
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Origin of INEFFABLE
Middle English, from Latin ineffabilis, from in- + effabilis capable of being expressed, from effari to speak out, from ex- + fari to speak — more at ban
Related to INEFFABLE
- Synonyms
- incommunicable, indefinable, indescribable, inenarrable, inexpressible, nameless, uncommunicable, unspeakable, unutterable
- Antonyms
- communicable, definable, expressible, speakable
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
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