ineffable

in·ef·fa·ble

adj \(ˌ)i-ˈne-fə-bəl\

Definition of INEFFABLE

1

a : incapable of being expressed in words : indescribable <ineffable joy> b : unspeakable <ineffable disgust>

2

: not to be uttered : taboo <the ineffable name of Jehovah>

— in·ef·fa·bil·i·ty \-ˌne-fə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— in·ef·fa·ble·ness \-ˈne-fə-bəl-nəs\ noun

— in·ef·fa·bly \-blē\ adverb

Examples of INEFFABLE

1. <an ineffable beauty descends upon the canyon as the sun begins to set>

Origin of INEFFABLE

Middle English, from Latin ineffabilis, from in- + effabilis capable of being expressed, from effari to speak out, from ex- + fari to speak — more at ban

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to INEFFABLE

Synonyms: incommunicable, indefinable, indescribable, inenarrable, inexpressible, nameless, uncommunicable, unspeakable, unutterable

Antonyms: communicable, definable, expressible, speakable

Related Words: unsayable; inconceivable, incredible, unbelievable, unimaginable, unthinkable; inexplicable, unexplainable; characterless, featureless, nondescript

Near Antonyms: conceivable, imaginable, thinkable

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Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms

Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, karma, koan, mantra