inexplicable

adjective

in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl  (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli- 

: incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for

an inexplicable disappearance

inexplicability

ˌi-nik-ˌspli-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

(ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)spli-

noun

inexplicableness

ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl-nəs 

(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-

noun

inexplicably

ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-blē 

(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-

adverb

Synonyms

• inexplainable
• unaccountable
• unexplainable

Examples of inexplicable in a Sentence

He had a series of seemingly inexplicable accidents.

an inexplicable desire for ice cream at two in the morning

Recent Examples on the Web

Bebe Zahara Benet delivered pure magic (with a dose of madness) in her inexplicable yet massively memorable and instantly meme-able verse. —Barry Levitt, Vulture, 12 May 2025

Popular enough where Reacher is currently the #1 show a full month and a half after season 3 ended, and slid down the list eventually before this inexplicable resurgence. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Remember, too, those who died in shootings, in mysterious hotel accidents, of illness in prison, or of inexplicable suicide. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025

Monica Vitti appears as a Parisian parent whose daughters unwittingly set in motion an inexplicable chain of events. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inexplicabilis, from in- + explicabilis explicable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inexplicable

• admissible
• immiscible
• permissible
• transmissible
• impermissible
• inadmissible
• indivisible
• miscible
• risible

Kids Definition

inexplicable

adjective

in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌin-ik-ˈsplik-ə-bəl  (ˈ)in-ˈek-(ˌ)splik- 

: impossible to explain

an inexplicable mystery

inexplicability

ˌin-ik-ˌsplik-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

(ˌ)in-ˌek-(ˌ)splik-

noun

inexplicably

-blē 

adverb