Words / C2
adjective · C2Ineffable
in-EF-uh-bl/ɪnˈefəbl/
Ineffable means the feeling or quality is too great, or too strange, to put into words. It belongs in literary, spiritual, or highly emotional writing. In speech beyond words or I cannot describe it is honest; ineffable at the bus stop sounds pretentious.
Meaning
Too great or extreme to be described in words.
Examples
- “They felt ineffable relief when the results came.”
- “The last movement has an ineffable sadness.”
- “They spoke of ineffable joy after the rescue.”
Good to know
Beyond description. Literary. Everyday: beyond words.
New