inexhaustible
gb/ɪnɪɡzˈɔstəbəl/ us/ɪnɪɡzˈɔstəbəl/
B2
English
~ 9300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
Impossible to use up completely
So large or great that it seems it will never end or be used up.
Usage pattern:
inexhaustible [supply/resource/source/stock]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "inexhaustible" with "exhaustive" and "exhausting". "Inexhaustible" means something cannot be used up or does not run out. "Exhaustive" means complete or covering everything. "Exhausting" means making you very tired. Also, it is usually used for large or long-lasting things like resources, supplies, or sources, not for small items (say "endless cups of tea" rather than an "inexhaustible cup of tea").
Synonyms
limitless (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech.)
|
endless (Emphasizes having no end, sometimes more emotional or dramatic.)
|
boundless (More literary; stresses a sense of vastness or no boundaries.)
Antonyms
finite (Stresses that there is a fixed, limited amount.)
|
limited (General opposite; emphasizes that the supply can be used up.)
Collocations
inexhaustible supply
|inexhaustible resources
|inexhaustible source of energy
|virtually inexhaustible
|seemingly inexhaustible
|almost inexhaustible
Themes
environment
|science
|business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The region is believed to have an almost inexhaustible supply of fresh water underground.
- Online courses offer students an inexhaustible source of information on nearly any topic.
- Solar energy is often described as an inexhaustible resource compared with fossil fuels.
- The internet can feel like an inexhaustible sea of data and opinions.
Learner examples
- Scientists hope to find an inexhaustible source of clean energy.
- The library was an inexhaustible supply of books for the children.
- For a small company, the costs seemed like an inexhaustible problem.
- The game offers an almost inexhaustible number of levels to play.
adjective
C1
property
2
Never seeming to get tired
Having so much energy or feeling that it seems you never get tired or never stop caring.
Usage pattern:
inexhaustible [energy/enthusiasm/patience/curiosity]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "inexhaustible" here means "very tired" because of the word "exhausted". It actually means the opposite: not getting tired. Also, do not say "I feel inexhaustible" in everyday speech; it is more natural to say "I have endless energy" or "I never get tired". Use "inexhaustible" mainly before nouns like "energy", "enthusiasm", "curiosity", or "patience".
Synonyms
tireless (Very close in meaning; more focused on not getting physically or mentally tired.)
|
unstoppable (Informal and stronger; suggests nothing can prevent the person from continuing.)
|
boundless (Often used for enthusiasm or curiosity; slightly more literary.)
Antonyms
exhausted (Describes a person who has completely run out of energy.)
|
weary (Suggests being tired and often less willing to continue.)
Collocations
inexhaustible energy
|inexhaustible enthusiasm
|inexhaustible curiosity
|inexhaustible patience
Themes
people
|emotions
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her seemingly inexhaustible energy keeps the whole team motivated late into the night.
- The teacher showed inexhaustible patience with even the most difficult students.
- His inexhaustible curiosity led him to ask questions that no one else had thought of.
- They admired her inexhaustible enthusiasm for helping others.
Learner examples
- Our coach has inexhaustible energy during practice.
- My grandmother listens with inexhaustible patience to my problems.
- Children often have almost inexhaustible curiosity.
- The singer’s inexhaustible enthusiasm made the concert exciting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inexhaustible
IPA
GB/ɪnɪɡzˈɔstəbəl/
US/ɪnɪɡzˈɔstəbəl/
Syllables & stress
in - ex - haust - ible (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (haust)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: inexhaustible
- Comparative: inexhaustibler
- Superlative: inexhaustiblest
Word family
Forms
inexhaustibler
adjective
inexhaustiblest
adjective
Core family
Related words
exhaustive
adjective
exhaustively
adverb
exhaustible
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
inexhaustibly
adverb
Advanced or less common
inexhaustibility
noun
Expressions
an inexhaustible source of
1/ən ɪnɪɡzˈɔstəbəl sˈɔɹs əv/
fixed phrase
A source that never stops giving
Something that always gives more of something (like ideas, fun, or problems) and never seems to end.
Examples
- Her travel stories are an inexhaustible source of entertainment at family dinners.
- The data collected by smartphones is an inexhaustible source of information for researchers.
- Parenthood can be an inexhaustible source of both joy and stress.
an inexhaustible supply of
1/ən ɪnɪɡzˈɔstəbəl səplˈaɪ əv/
fixed phrase
A supply that never runs out
A very large amount of something that seems like it will never be used up.
Examples
- The city draws on an inexhaustible supply of fresh water from the nearby lake.
- For language learners today, the internet offers an inexhaustible supply of free materials.
- The charity depends on what seems like an inexhaustible supply of small online donations.
seemingly inexhaustible
1/sˈimɪŋli ɪnɪɡzˈɔstəbəl/
fixed phrase
Appearing as if it never ends
Looking or feeling like it will never end or be used up, even if it might in reality.
Examples
- The company enjoyed a seemingly inexhaustible demand for its new product.
- His seemingly inexhaustible good mood cheered everyone up during the long trip.
- There is a seemingly inexhaustible flow of new content on social media.