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 of inexplicable

• 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 organization said Kirbiyik, who spent 10 years alongside Deniz, had not noticed any signs of illness and was shocked by his sudden and inexplicable death. — Andrea Sachs The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026

This run of the 101 still has enough hipster plant shops, low-slung thrift spot and inexplicable little storefronts (Child of Wild? — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Microsoft founder Bill Gates viewed Jeffrey Epstein as an enigmatic figure with inexplicable wealth but met with him over a dozen times in a bid to collect sweeping donations for global health, according to his testimony to Congress. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2026

Because nothing goes better with a hot dog and an inexplicable loss to Pitt than 32 ounces of sour plum Fanta. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 24 June 2026

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

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