impeccable

adjective

im·​pec·​ca·​ble (ˌ)im-ˈpe-kə-bəl 

1

: free from fault or blame : flawless

has impeccable manners/taste

spoke impeccable French

2

: not capable of sinning or liable to sin

impeccability

(ˌ)im-ˌpe-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

impeccably

(ˌ)im-ˈpe-kə-blē 

adverb

Did you know?

The word impeccable has been used in English since the 16th century. It comes from the Latin word impeccabilis, a combination of the Latin prefix in-, meaning "not," and the verb peccare, meaning "to sin." Its original meaning hewed close to its root: impeccable meant "not capable of sinning or liable to sin." (It has a rare but pleasingly logical antonym in peccable, meaning "liable or prone to sin.") Peccare has other descendants in English: there is the noun peccadillo, ("a slight offense"), adjective peccant ("guilty of a moral offense" or simply "faulty"), and the noun peccavi, which in Latin literally means "I have sinned" but in English refers to an acknowledgment of sin. Nowadays, impeccable is more commonly used in the secular sense to mean "flawless," as in "impeccable taste in music" or "their craftsmanship is impeccable."

Synonyms of impeccable

• perfect
• flawless
• ideal
• excellent
• immaculate
• superb

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

Crucially, impeccable financial and operational documentation is non-negotiable. — John Hall, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The Five Star Weekend follows Jennifer Garner as Hollis Shaw, a famed cook and best-selling author known for her delicious recipes, impeccable taste, and warm demeanor, who suffers a devastating loss. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 July 2026

Yet as the Beverly Hills Hotel’s culinary director, Ashley James, leads me into the impeccable stainless steel kitchen, lunch orders are already coming in and trays are already heading out the door. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026

The hotel’s theming is impeccable, with workers dressed like bellhops and housekeepers and a grand lobby library featuring eclectic paintings and sculptures. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin impeccabilis, from in- + peccare to sin

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

impeccable

adjective

im·​pec·​ca·​ble (ˈ)im-ˈpek-ə-bəl 

: free from fault or blame

impeccability

(ˌ)im-ˌpek-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

impeccably

(ˈ)im-ˈpek-ə-blē 

adverb