inexplicable
gb/ˌɪnɪksplˈɪkəbəl/ us/ˌɪnɪksplˈɪkəbəl/
C1
English
~ 8300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
impossible to explain or understand
So strange or unclear that you cannot explain or understand it.
Usage pattern:
[something] is inexplicable (to [someone])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "inexplicable" with "unexplained." "Inexplicable" describes something that cannot be explained, often even if you try, while "unexplained" can simply mean no explanation has been given yet. Learners may also omit the preposition and say *"it is inexplicable me"* instead of the correct *"it is inexplicable to me."*
Synonyms
unexplainable (Very close in meaning; slightly more informal and less common in careful writing.)
|
mysterious (Adds a sense of secrecy or hidden cause, not just difficulty of explanation.)
|
baffling (Emphasizes the speaker’s confusion; more informal and emotional.)
Antonyms
understandable (Clearly able to be understood or explained, the direct opposite focus.)
|
obvious (So clear that it needs no explanation, the opposite of being hard to explain.)
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clear (Easy to see or understand, contrasting with the uncertainty of 'inexplicable'.)
Collocations
inexplicable behavior
|inexplicable feeling
|inexplicable decision
|seem inexplicable
|remain inexplicable
|virtually inexplicable
Themes
thinking
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- For some inexplicable reason, the computer kept restarting every hour.
- The jury was disturbed by the suspect’s inexplicable change of story.
- Her sudden and inexplicable fear of flying surprised everyone who knew her well.
- The disappearance of the files is inexplicable given the strict security in the building.
- Scientists found an inexplicable pattern in the data that none of their models could account for.
Learner examples
- His anger was inexplicable to me.
- There was an inexplicable noise in the house last night.
- The train stopped for an inexplicable amount of time.
- She felt an inexplicable sadness after the movie.
- The lights went out for an inexplicable reason.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inexplicable
IPA
GB/ˌɪnɪksplˈɪkəbəl/
US/ˌɪnɪksplˈɪkəbəl/
Syllables & stress
in - ex - plic - able (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (plic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: inexplicable
Word family
Core family
Related words
explanatory
adjective B2
explicable
adjective
Advanced or less common
inexplicability
noun
Expressions
for some inexplicable reason
1/fɚ sˈʌm ˌɪnɪksplˈɪkəbəl ɹˈizən/
fixed phrase
for a cause we can't understand
Used when you do not know and cannot understand why something happens or why someone does something.
Examples
- For some inexplicable reason, he refused the promotion he had always wanted.
- The crowd, for some inexplicable reason, started laughing during the serious speech.
- For some inexplicable reason, the app only crashes when I use it at night.