impenetrable
gb/ɪmpˈɛnətɹəbəl/ us/ɪmpˈɛnətɹəbəl/
B2
English
~ 8700
érthetetlen, kifürkészhetetlen, kivehetetlen, átláthatatlan, áthatolhatatlan
C1
1
Usage pattern:
[text/idea/explanation/person] is impenetrable (to [someone])
The report is written in such impenetrable jargon that only experts can make sense of it.
A jelentés olyan érthetetlen szakzsargonnal íródott, hogy csak a szakértők tudják értelmezni.
Her motives remain impenetrable, even to her closest friends.
Az indítékai még a legközelebbi barátai számára is kifürkészhetetlenek maradnak.
I gave up after three chapters of his impenetrable prose.
The legal contract is almost impenetrable to anyone without training.
Despite his calm face, his expression was impenetrable, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Learner examples
The book is full of impenetrable words, so I cannot enjoy it.
A könyv tele van érthetetlen szavakkal, ezért nem tudom élvezni.
The law is impenetrable to most people who are not lawyers.
A törvény a legtöbb nem jogász ember számára érthetetlen.
Her smile was impenetrable; we did not know if she was happy or angry.
The teacher’s explanation was impenetrable, and the students were still confused.
This article is too impenetrable for new learners of the subject.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "impenetrable" with simpler words like "hard" or "strange" and overuse it in casual contexts (e.g., saying "an impenetrable movie" instead of "a confusing movie"). It is usually used for very high levels of difficulty or complexity, often in formal or written contexts, and commonly with nouns like "jargon", "prose", "mystery", "argument", or "expression".
Meaning
very difficult or impossible to understand
Collocations
impenetrable jargon
|impenetrable prose
|impenetrable explanation
|impenetrable mystery
|an impenetrable text
|an almost impenetrable style
Synonyms
incomprehensible (Neutral, very close in meaning; common direct substitute for language or ideas that cannot be understood.)
|
opaque (Often used about writing or arguments that are hard to understand because they are unclear or overly complex; slightly more formal.)
|
unfathomable (Stresses that something is too deep or mysterious to understand, often about feelings or motives rather than technical language.)
Antonyms
clear (Describes language or ideas that are easy to understand, the direct opposite in terms of clarity.)
|
accessible (Focuses on being easy for many people to understand, especially writing or academic ideas.)
Themes
communication
|thinking
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
So hard to understand that people cannot or almost cannot understand it, often because it is very complex or not clearly explained.
Too complex, obscure, or unclear to be understood, especially about language, ideas, or a person’s thoughts and feelings.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
an impenetrable [barrier/forest/wall/defence]
Thick vines and undergrowth made the jungle almost impenetrable.
A sűrű indák és az aljnövényzet szinte áthatolhatatlanná tették a dzsungelt.
The data center is protected by impenetrable security systems and physical barriers.
Az adatközpontot áthatolhatatlan biztonsági rendszerek és fizikai akadályok védik.
A high, impenetrable wall separated the two compounds.
The castle’s impenetrable defenses kept the enemy out for months.
Fog rolled in from the sea, forming an almost impenetrable curtain across the bay.
Learner examples
The forest was so dense it was almost impenetrable.
Az erdő olyan sűrű volt, hogy szinte áthatolhatatlan volt.
They built an impenetrable fence around the laboratory.
Áthatolhatatlan kerítést építettek a laboratórium köré.
The old city had impenetrable walls to keep enemies out.
The snow became an impenetrable barrier on the road.
The company says its system is impenetrable to hackers.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "impenetrable" instead of more common words like "closed" or "blocked" for everyday things (e.g., "an impenetrable door" instead of "a locked door"). "Impenetrable" is stronger and suggests that passing through is nearly or totally impossible, not just inconvenient.
Meaning
impossible or very hard to pass through
Collocations
impenetrable forest
|impenetrable barrier
|impenetrable wall
|impenetrable defenses
|virtually impenetrable
|almost impenetrable
Synonyms
impassable (Common for roads or paths that cannot be traveled on; slightly less strong than "impenetrable".)
|
unbreachable (Often used for defenses or security systems that cannot be broken through; more technical or military.)
Antonyms
penetrable (Direct logical opposite; something that can be passed through or entered.)
|
porous (Lets things like water, air, or light through easily, the opposite of forming a solid barrier.)
Themes
nature
|security
|objects
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
So thick, strong, or dense that people, animals, or things cannot, or can almost not, go through it.
Not allowing someone or something to go through or enter; forming a barrier that is impossible or extremely difficult to cross or break.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impenetrable
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɛnətɹəbəl/
US/ɪmpˈɛnətɹəbəl/
Syllables & stress
im - pen - et - rable (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pen)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: impenetrable
Word family
Core family
penetrate
verb B2
penetration
noun B2
Related words
penetrable
adjective
penetrating
adjective
impenetrably
adverb
Advanced or less common
impenetrability
noun
penetrability
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.