unknowable

1 of 2

adjective

un·​know·​able ˌən-ˈnō-ə-bəl 

: not knowable

especially : lying beyond the limits of human experience or understanding

unknowability

ˌən-ˌnō-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

unknowability

2 of 2

noun

un·​knowability ¦ən+ 

: the quality or state of being unknowable

Examples of unknowable in a Sentence

Adjective

a God whose nature is unknown and unknowable

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Messi spent two decades becoming famous while remaining almost unknowable. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Ginsburg misjudged an unknowable future; Biden failed to respond to a visible present. — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Yet several of the heroes feel unknowable and interchangeable, which keeps the audience at an emotional distance even as Nolan employs so many cinematic techniques in an effort to pull us closer. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

To leave the character at the center of his own story opaque, unknowable, a silhouette—would have been a different kind of dishonesty. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unknowable

• knowable

Kids Definition

unknowable

adjective

un·​know·​able ˌən-ˈnō-ə-bəl 

ˈən-

: not knowable

some facts in the case may remain unknowable