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

The choice to center a film that primarily exists as a primer on the Gospels for young viewers around the parenting struggles of a 19th century literary figure who is not exactly at the forefront of culture is inexplicable. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2025

Doncic was traded seemingly at the peak of his career, which made the trade even more shocking and inexplicable. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025

In 2013, a four-year-old boy with a severe pancreatic abnormality underwent a total and inexplicable recovery after touching a relic of Carlo. —Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

This is often the most unpredictable step — where last-minute denials or inexplicable rejections can derail everything. —Alex Ashley, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 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