French word

impondérable

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃pɔ̃deʁabl/

Meaning

  • masculine noununforeseen factor

Example

Il y a toujours des impondérables dans un projet.

There are always unforeseen factors in a project.

Illustration for impondérable (unforeseen factor)

More examples

Il faut être préparé aux impondérables quand on organise un événement.

You need to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances when organizing an event.

Core concept

A hidden factor in a plan that unexpectedly shifts the final result.

Common phrases

  • faire face aux impondérables

    deal with unforeseen circumstances

  • être préparé aux impondérables

    be prepared for unforeseen circumstances

Similar words

imprévu: Something unplanned that suddenly calls for action or adjustment.
contretemps: A small setback or delay that throws off a schedule.
aléa: An uncertain element whose occurrence depends on chance.
incident: An incident or problem occurring during an activity or plan.

Definition in French

S'emploie souvent au pluriel, pour désigner des éléments imprévus et difficiles à anticiper qui influent sur un résultat.

Word origin

French impondérable combines the negative prefix im- with pondérable, related to Latin ponderare, meaning to weigh, and names what cannot be readily assessed.

Usage tips

  • Impondérable is masculine: un impondérable, with the plural form des impondérables.

Other meanings

  • unpredictableadjective
  • unforeseeableadjective

Opposites

  • prévisibilitépredictabilitynoun

Word lists with this word