Langimage
English

incomprehensible

|in-com-pre-hen-si-ble|

C1

🇺🇸

/ˌɪnˌkɑːmprɪˈhɛnsəbl/

🇬🇧

/ˌɪnkɒmprɪˈhɛnsəbl/

not understandable

Etymology
Etymology Information

'incomprehensible' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'incomprehensibilis,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'comprehensibilis' meant 'able to be understood.'

Historical Evolution

'incomprehensibilis' transformed into the Old French word 'incomprehensible,' and eventually became the modern English word 'incomprehensible.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'not able to be understood,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

impossible to understand or comprehend; unintelligible.

The instructions were so poorly written that they were incomprehensible.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39