impeccable

adjective

im·​pec·​ca·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈpe-kə-bəl How to pronounce impeccable (audio)
1
: free from fault or blame : flawless
spoke impeccable French
2
: not capable of sinning or liable to sin
impeccability noun
impeccably adverb

Did you know?

The word impeccable has been used in English since the 16th century. It derives from the Latin word impeccabilis, a combination of the Latin prefix in-, meaning "not," and the verb peccare, meaning "to sin." Peccare has other descendants in English. There is peccadillo, meaning "a slight offense," and peccant, meaning "guilty of a moral offense" or simply "faulty." There is also peccavi, which comes from Latin, where it literally means "I have sinned"; in English the word functions as a noun meaning "an acknowledgment of sin."

Examples of impeccable in a Sentence

Grandfather found a reason to slip in every five minutes. The empty soda cans had to be removed, the bowl of potato chips refreshed. He was sure that he moved unnoticed, like an impeccable waiter of the old school … Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992
His English was impeccable but halting, like a well-tooled but slightly rusted machine. John Updike, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 1987
In order to ensure that at least one verifiable Spaniard participate in this critical venture, Mendoza asked Bishop Zumárraga to nominate as second-in-command a younger friar with impeccable credentials, and the cleric selected a Fransiscan in whom he had great faith … James A. Michener, Texas, 1985
She has impeccable taste in music. the etiquette expert was celebrated for her absolutely impeccable manners
Recent Examples on the Web Their impeccable early Black Friday perfume sales include scrumptious personal and home scent duos from Ellis Brooklyn and Maison Louis Marie. Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 20 Nov. 2023 Netflix Drops Official Trailer for The Crown Season 6, Part 1: See the Royal Drama to Come This first chunk of season 6, though, could be considered The Crown's version of jumping the shark (or, given the show's impeccable British pedigree, maybe the snark). Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 For any young performer seeking an alternative to the usual walk-out-and-play routines, this impeccable event could serve as a model. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023 These time-only watches feature a pure and minimalist design with impeccable haute horlogerie finishing. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2023 Trending In a separate statement, Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman, David Crane, and Kevin Bright remembered Perry, whose biting sarcasm and impeccable comedic timing was a crucial ingredient to global success of the series. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023 Azaria played David, a scientist who was in an on-and-off relationship with Lisa Kudrow’s Phoebe Buffay for years. ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry dead at 54, found in hot tub at L.A. home Oct. 29, 2023 Azaria then commented on Perry’s impeccable comic sensibilities on and off the screen. Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023 Their impeccable early Black Friday perfume sales include scrumptious scents from brands like 16-19, Ellis Brooklyn, and Heretic. Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 9 Nov. 2023 With its modern design and impeccable insulation, your beverages stay at the right temperature, no matter where the journey takes you. Kathy Barr, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impeccable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin impeccabilis, from in- + peccare to sin

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of impeccable was in 1531

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Dictionary Entries Near impeccable

Cite this Entry

“Impeccable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impeccable. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

impeccable

adjective
im·​pec·​ca·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpek-ə-bəl How to pronounce impeccable (audio)
: free from fault or blame
impeccability noun
impeccably adverb

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