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 boring rosters, the passive-aggressive press conferences, the endless parade of mediocre seasons — cresting and falling with an inexplicable 2021 and 2026 — has been brutal to watch. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

The stakes cooled considerably the past two seasons with Michigan out of Playoff contention and Ohio State safely in the 12-team field both years (even after suffering a second loss in that inexplicable 2024 game). — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Why, then, this inexplicable smear campaign against a film that its accusers have evidently not even seen yet? — John Bleasdale, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

The sequence was the boiling point of a maddening, inexplicable few days in Minnesota. — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 19 Aug. 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