inscrutable
gb/ɪnskɹˈutəbəl/ us/ɪnskɹˈutəbəl/
C1
Англійська
Значення
0 значень
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
hard to read or understand
If someone is inscrutable, you cannot tell what they are thinking or feeling.
Модель уживання:
[someone] is inscrutable; inscrutable to [someone]
Поширена помилка:
Don’t confuse with in-/un- prefixes meaning “not”: the word is not *unscrutable* in standard English.
Синоніми
unreadable (Commonly used for faces or people you can’t interpret.)
|
enigmatic (Suggests puzzling mystery, sometimes intriguing.)
|
mysterious (More general; can mean unknown as well as hard to understand.)
|
impenetrable (Stronger; emphasizes that understanding cannot get through.)
Антоніми
transparent (Easy to see through; feelings or intentions are obvious.)
|
open (Willing to show feelings or intentions.)
|
readable (Easy to interpret (especially of a face or expression).)
Словосполучення
an inscrutable expression
|an inscrutable face
|an inscrutable smile
|an inscrutable look
|an inscrutable gaze
|an inscrutable manner
|an inscrutable silence
|inscrutable motives
|remain inscrutable
|seem inscrutable
Теми
people
|emotions
|communication
Приклади
- She listened without interrupting, her face inscrutable.
- His motives were inscrutable to the rest of the team.
- The judge remained inscrutable as the verdict was read.
Навчальні приклади
- He is inscrutable, so I can’t tell what he thinks.
- Her expression stayed inscrutable.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
too hard to understand
If something is inscrutable, it is very hard to understand.
Модель уживання:
an inscrutable [thing]
Поширена помилка:
Avoid using it for something merely unfamiliar; it usually implies serious difficulty in understanding.
Синоніми
incomprehensible (Direct and strong; focuses on inability to understand.)
|
opaque (Often used for writing, policies, or explanations that aren’t clear.)
|
baffling (Emphasizes confusion and puzzlement.)
Антоніми
clear (Easy to understand.)
|
transparent (Openly explained; not hidden or confusing.)
|
comprehensible (Possible to understand.)
Словосполучення
inscrutable jargon
|inscrutable rules
|inscrutable logic
|inscrutable code
|an inscrutable formula
|an inscrutable system
|an inscrutable decision
|inscrutable bureaucracy
|an inscrutable explanation
|an inscrutable text
Теми
language
|education
|technology
Приклади
- The instructions were so inscrutable that we gave up and watched a tutorial.
- To newcomers, the company’s approval process can seem inscrutable.
- The plot became increasingly inscrutable in the final episode.
Навчальні приклади
- This rule is inscrutable to me.
- The explanation was inscrutable.
Граматика
Словникова форма
inscrutable
IPA
GB/ɪnskɹˈutəbəl/
US/ɪnskɹˈutəbəl/
Склади й наголос
in - scrut - able (3 склади)
Stress on 2nd syllable (scrut)
Форми слова
Adjective
- Base: inscrutable
Споріднені слова
Core family
inscrutability
noun
inscrutably
adverb
Related words
scrutiny
noun C1
scrutinize
verb C1
Advanced or less common
scrutable
adjective
Вирази
an inscrutable expression
1/ən ɪnskɹˈutəbəl ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
a face that reveals nothing
A look on someone’s face that you cannot understand.
Приклади
- He gave an inscrutable expression and said nothing.
- She watched the argument with an inscrutable expression.
- The interviewer kept an inscrutable expression throughout the answers.
an inscrutable look
1/ən ɪnskɹˈutəbəl lˈʊk/
fixed phrase
formal
a look that reveals nothing
A look on someone’s face that is hard to understand.
Приклади
- She gave me an inscrutable look and walked away.
- He met the accusation with an inscrutable look.
- The teacher paused, then fixed the class with an inscrutable look.
an inscrutable smile
1/ən ɪnskɹˈutəbəl smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
formal
a smile with hidden meaning
A smile that you cannot understand.
Приклади
- He answered with an inscrutable smile.
- She offered an inscrutable smile and changed the subject.
- The CEO’s inscrutable smile made the room uneasy.