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in·con·ceiv·a·ble
 inconceivable
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- pronunciation:
- In
k
n
si
v
b l
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: |
adjective |
definition 1: |
incapable of being imagined or understood; unthinkable.
- synonyms:
- unimaginable, unthinkable
- antonyms:
- conceivable
- similar words:
- impossible, out of the question
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definition 2: |
difficult to believe or find credible.
- synonyms:
- incredible, unbelievable
- similar words:
- doubtful, far-fetched, impossible, suspect
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related words: |
fabulous, marvelous |
adverb + (adj.)inconceivable
absolutely, almost, entirely, literally, practically, previously, simply, totally, utterly, virtually
(adj.)inconceivable
+ noun
horror, mystery, rapidity, talent, tragedy, vastness
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derivations: |
inconceivably (adv.), inconceivability (n.), inconceivableness (n.) |
The word inconceivable
contains the following parts:
con-
Latin
prefix
that means with, together
  More about this word part:
The prefix con-
is an assimilated form of com- used before roots beginning with c, d, f, g, j, n, s, t, and v. See com-. Note: con-
is frequently an intensive prefix, as in " conceive
."
  Example words:
conceive, concentrate, concentric, conclude, conclusion, condone, conduce, conducive, conduct, conductive, conduction, confer, conference, confidant, confide, confidence, confident, confine, confirm, conflict, confluence, conflux, conform, confuse, confusion, congener, congratulate, congregate, congress, conjecture, conjunct, conjunction, conjunctiva, connect, connote, conscript, conscription, consign, consonant, conspiracy, constant, constrain, construct, construction, contact, contain, container, context, continue, contract, conversant, convince, convict, conviction, convivial, convocation, convoke, inconceivable, inconsonant, inconspicuous, connotation, consequence, consequent
in-2
Latin
prefix
that means not, without
  More about this word part:
The prefix in-2 occurs in Latin loanwords and attaches to Latinate bases. The bases of most words prefixed with in-2 are independent
adjectives ( inadvertent
, incognizant
), although the base adjective may no longer be in widespread use (as with incessant
). Exceptions include iniquitous
and indignant
. -in 2 has multiple forms, as the 'n' sound in in-2 assimilates to the initial sound of the base to which it is attached. See the assimilated forms ig-, il-2, im-2, and ir-2.
  Example words:
inaccurate, inadvertent, inalienable, inanimate, inappropriate, inapt, inarticulate, inaudible, inauspicious, incapable, incessant, incest, incognito, incognizant, incommensurate, incommodious, incompetent, incomplete, incomprehensible, inconceivable, inconclusive, incongruous, inconsiderate, inconsonant, inconspicuous, inconvenient, incorporeal, incorrect, incorrigible, incorrupt, incredible, incredulous, incurable, indecorous, indefeasible, indefinite, indelible, indemnify, independence, independent, indescribable, indestructible, indignant, indirect, indispose, indistinct, individual, indivisible, indolent, indomitable, indubitable, inedible, ineffable, inefficient, ineluctable, inept, inequality, inequity, ineradicable, inert, inevitable, inexorable, inexpensive, inexpiable, inexplicable, infallible, infamous, infelicitous, infidel, infidelity, infinite, infinitesimal, infirmity, informal, infrequent, inimical, inimitable, iniquitous, iniquity, injure, injury, innocuous, innominate, inordinate, insane, insatiable, inscrutable, inseparable, insipid, insolent, insomnia, insouciant, insuperable, intangible, interminable, intractable, intransigent, intransitive, intrepid, invaluable, inveracity, invincible, invisible, irregular
cap1, cip, capt, cept, -ceive, -ceit
Latin
root
that means to take, catch
  Example words:
accept, acceptable, acceptance, capability, capable, capacious, capacity, captive, capture, conceive, concept, deceive, deception, deceptive, except, exception, incapable, inconceivable, intercept, participant, participate, perceive, perceptive, percipient, precept, receive, reception, recipient, susceptible
-able, -ible, -ble
Latin
adjective-forming suffix
that means capable of being, doing, or undergoing
  More about this word part:
The suffix -able
, and its variants, is attached to Latin verb roots or English transitive verbs to form adjectives. (In a small set of cases, -able
is attached to a noun, e.g. knowledgeable and marriageable.) For spelling purposes, it is useful to know that -able
is more likely to be added to a whole English word (comparable
, adorable
), while -ible
is more likely to follow a bound root (visible
, legible
). However,there are still many words which combine a root with -able
(capable
, inevitable
). The suffix -ity can be added to any adjective ending in -able
, -ible
, -ble
to produce a corresponding noun ending in -ability, -ibility, -bility (possible
+ -ity > possibility; irrevocable
+ -ity > irrevocability.)
  Example words:
acceptable, accessible, admissible, adorable, amiable, amicable, audible, avoidable, believable, bearable, biodegradable, capable, calculable, cognizable, comparable, compatible, comprehensible, conformable, conversable, convertible, corrigible, credible, creditable, curable, dependable, despicable, disagreeable, disposable, divisible, eligible, explicable, flammable, flexible, illegible, illimitable, imaginable, immiscible, immovable, immutable, impalpable, impassable, impeccable, impermeable, impermissible, imperturbable, implacable, implausible, imponderable, impossible, impregnable, inalienable, inaudible, incapable, incalculable, incommunicable, incomprehensible, inconceivable, detectable, conceivable, incorrigible, incredible, incurable, indefeasible, indelible, indescribable, indestructible, indivisible, indomitable, ineligible, ineluctable, ineradicable, inescapable, inevitable, inexorable, inexpiable, inexplicable, infallible, inhospitable, inimitable, inscrutable, inseparable, insuperable, intangible, interminable, intractable, invaluable, invariable, invincible, invisible, irrefragable, irrefutable, irremissible, irreparable, irreversible, irrevocable, legible, likable, lovable, manageable, measurable, movable, navigable, notable, opposable, palpable, perishable, permissible, placable, portable, possible, potable, predictable, preferable, prescriptible, recognizable, remissible, reprehensible, reversible, risible, semipermeable, sensible, superable, susceptible, tangible, tenable, tolerable, tractable, transmissible, unsupportable, usable, viable, visible, washable, affordable, allowable, reliable, remarkable, approachable, disputable, drinkable, durable, eatable, renewable, sustainable, unshakable
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