French word

inconcevable

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃kɔ̃səvabl/

Meaning

  • adjectiveunthinkable

Example

Je trouve ça inconcevable.

I find that unthinkable.

Illustration for inconcevable (unthinkable)

More examples

C'est inconcevable de perdre autant de temps.

It's inconceivable to waste so much time.

Core concept

A mind facing an event so far outside its frame that it cannot form or accept a clear idea.

Common phrases

  • c'est inconcevable

    It's inconceivable

  • une idée inconcevable

    an inconceivable idea

Similar words

incroyable: So difficult to believe that it causes great surprise.
inimaginable: Impossible to picture or imagine clearly.
surprenant: Unexpected and likely to cause surprise.

Definition in French

Qui est impossible à imaginer ou à concevoir, que l'esprit ne parvient pas à accepter.

Word origin

French inconcevable derives from concevoir, from Latin concipere, with in- marking negation and -able marking possibility.

Usage tips

  • Inconcevable is more formal or emphatic than incroyable in everyday speech, while je n'arrive pas à y croire sounds more conversational.

Other meanings

  • unbelievableadjective

Opposites

  • concevableconceivableadjective
  • possiblepossibleadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word