unmistakable
gb/ˌʌnmɪstˈeɪkəbəl/ us/ˌʌnmɪstˈeɪkəbəl/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
very clear; leaving no doubt
Very clear, so you cannot be wrong about it.
Usage pattern:
[something] is unmistakable; unmistakable [evidence/sign/indication] (that [clause])
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with 'inevitable' (certain to happen) or use it for things that are only slightly likely.
Synonyms
clear (More general; less emphatic about 'no possibility of mistake'.)
|
obvious (Focuses on being easy to notice; may sound less formal.)
|
definite (Emphasizes certainty, sometimes less about clarity.)
Antonyms
unclear (Not clear enough to understand or be sure about.)
|
ambiguous (Can be understood in more than one way.)
|
doubtful (Not certain or convincing.)
Collocations
unmistakable evidence
|unmistakable sign
|unmistakable indication
|unmistakable proof
|unmistakable message
|unmistakable signal
|unmistakable tone
|unmistakable meaning
|unmistakable intention
|unmistakable truth
Themes
communication
|opinions
|general
Examples
- There was an unmistakable sadness in his voice.
- The results provide unmistakable evidence that the drug works.
- Her silence was an unmistakable sign that she disagreed.
Learner examples
- His meaning was unmistakable.
- The sign said, in unmistakable letters, “NO ENTRY.”
adjective
C1
property
2
distinctive; easy to recognize
Very special or different, so you can recognize it easily.
Usage pattern:
unmistakable [voice/style/accent/smell/look]
Common mistake:
Use this for recognition (voice/style), not simply for something being common or popular.
Synonyms
distinctive (Close in meaning; slightly more neutral and common in formal writing.)
|
recognizable (Emphasizes that people can identify it; less emphatic.)
|
characteristic (Stresses that it is typical of someone/something.)
Antonyms
unrecognizable (Not possible to identify or recognize.)
|
generic (Lacking special or identifying features.)
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indistinct (Not clear enough to be seen or heard well.)
Collocations
unmistakable voice
|unmistakable accent
|unmistakable style
|unmistakable smell
|unmistakable look
|unmistakable sound
|unmistakable signature
|unmistakable mark
|unmistakable outline
|unmistakable presence
Themes
identity
|arts_media
|daily_life
Examples
- Even in the dark, she recognized his unmistakable laugh.
- The painting has the artist’s unmistakable style.
- As soon as I opened the door, there was an unmistakable smell of smoke.
Learner examples
- I know her by her unmistakable accent.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unmistakable
IPA
GB/ˌʌnmɪstˈeɪkəbəl/
US/ˌʌnmɪstˈeɪkəbəl/
Syllables & stress
un - mis - tak - able (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tak)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unmistakable
Expressions
an unmistakable sign of [something]
1/ən ˌʌnmɪstˈeɪkəbəl sˈaɪn əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
a clear indication of something
A clear sign that something is true.
Examples
- Dark clouds are an unmistakable sign of an approaching storm.
- His shaking hands were an unmistakable sign of nerves.
- The empty shelves were an unmistakable sign of panic buying.
in unmistakable terms
1/ˈɪn ˌʌnmɪstˈeɪkəbəl tˈɚmz/
fixed phrase
very clearly; without doubt
Very clearly, so nobody can misunderstand.
Examples
- She told him in unmistakable terms that she was not interested.
- The manager stated in unmistakable terms that deadlines must be met.
- The letter explained, in unmistakable terms, what would happen next.
make [something] unmistakably clear
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmθɪŋ ˌʌnmɪstˈeɪkəbli klˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
remove any possible doubt
To explain something so clearly that everyone understands.
Examples
- She made it unmistakably clear that the behavior would not be tolerated.
- The contract makes it unmistakably clear who owns the data.
- He made his priorities unmistakably clear to the team.