inexplicable

/ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbl/ Formal

Say it: in-ik-SPLIK-uh-bull

adjective Unable to be explained, understood, or accounted for.
For some inexplicable reason, the power went out across the entire city.

📖 Seen in the wild

The sudden disappearance of the ancient artifact remained an inexplicable mystery to archaeologists.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ inexplicable in a sentence

The team's sudden collapse in the final minutes of the game was inexplicable.
He felt an inexplicable sadness wash over him as he stared at the old house.
Investigators are trying to understand the pilot's inexplicable decision to change course.
She had an inexplicable craving for watermelon in the middle of winter.
The file was missing from the secure server, an inexplicable breach of protocol.
Despite the clear evidence, his loyalty to the company remained inexplicable to his colleagues.
The sudden flourishing of life in the barren desert is a beautiful, if inexplicable, phenomenon.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

unaccountable incomprehensible baffling mysterious puzzling unfathomable enigmatic perplexing

unaccountable · often implies a lack of a rational cause or responsible agent.

incomprehensible · suggests something is beyond the grasp of the mind, often due to complexity.

baffling · emphasizes the power to confuse, frustrate, or perplex someone.

mysterious · implies a hidden or secret reason that arouses curiosity.

Opposites: explainable, understandable, comprehensible, accountable, fathomable

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes to us from Latin, built from the prefix 'in-' (not) and the verb 'explicare' (to unfold, explain). 'Explicare' itself is formed from 'ex-' (out) and 'plicare' (to fold). So, something inexplicable is literally something that cannot be 'unfolded' or laid out for understanding.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

inexplicable reasoninexplicable behaviorinexplicable urgeinexplicable phenomenonremains inexplicablefind it inexplicable

'Inexplicable' is a strong word that suggests a complete absence of a known or logical cause. It is more formal and forceful than 'strange' or 'puzzling'. Be careful not to confuse it with 'inextricable', which means 'impossible to separate or untangle'. While both words contain 'in-' and '-ex-', their meanings are entirely different.

Word family: inexplicably, inexplicability, explicable

💬 Quick answers

What does inexplicable mean?

It describes something that cannot be explained or for which there is no logical reason. If an event is inexplicable, no one can figure out why it happened.

What's the difference between 'inexplicable' and 'incomprehensible'?

'Inexplicable' means a cause or reason cannot be found. 'Incomprehensible' means something cannot be mentally understood, often due to complexity. A difficult physics equation might be incomprehensible to many, but it is still explicable.

Is 'inexplicable' a formal word?

Yes, it is generally considered a formal word. While it can be used in everyday conversation to add emphasis, it is more common in writing, news reporting, and formal speech.

How is 'inexplicable' different from 'mysterious'?

'Inexplicable' suggests a complete lack of a logical explanation. 'Mysterious' implies there is an explanation, but it is hidden, unknown, or secret, which often invites curiosity.

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