Latin · prefix
in-
not; without
Forms
- in-
- im- — Used before b, m, or p in Latin.
- il- — Used before l in Latin.
- ir- — Used before r in Latin.
Origin
Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *n̥-, the unstressed negative form associated with *ne, ‘not.’
Note
Unrelated to the Latin in- meaning ‘in’ or ‘into,’ despite their matching forms.
Words sharing this root
enemySomeone or something hostile to or working against another.entireComplete, with no part removed or missing.entiretyThe whole of something, with no part left out.ignobleLacking honor or moral dignity.ignominiousDeserving or causing public shame and disgrace.ignominyPublic shame or disgrace.illegalContrary to the requirements of law.illegitimateNot recognized as lawful or justified under prevailing rules.illicitNot allowed by law, rules, or accepted standards.illiterateUnable to use written language adequately.immaculateCompletely free from any stain.immaterialNot relevant or important to the matter at hand.immaterialNot consisting of physical substance.immatureNot having reached full development.immaturityThe condition of incomplete development.immeasurableToo great to be measured.immediateHaving no intervening distance or step.immemorialExtending so far into the past that no one remembers its beginning.immenseExtremely large in size, amount, or degree.immensityThe quality of being extremely large or great.immobileNot moving or unable to move.immobilityThe state of being unable to move or remaining still.immoderateExceeding reasonable or acceptable limits.immodestExposing the body in a way considered improper.immodestShowing too much pride in oneself or one's achievements.immodestyA lack of humility about one's abilities or achievements.immodestyA lack of accepted decency in dress or behavior.immortalContinuing to live without ever dying.immortalityExistence that continues beyond death without end.immovableFixed so firmly that it cannot be shifted.immuneProtected from a specified harmful effect.immunityProtection from the effects of a specified threat.immutabilityThe quality of being unchangeable.immutableNot able to be changed.impatienceRestlessness or irritation when kept waiting or prevented from getting what you want.impatiensA genus of balsam-family plants valued for colorful flowers.impatientRestless or annoyed because of waiting.impeccableFree from faults or mistakes.impecuniousHaving little or no money.impenetrableToo resistant to allow entry or passage.imperceptibleToo slight or subtle to be noticed.imperfectHaving faults or lacking completeness.imperfectA verb form expressing ongoing or habitual action in the past.imperfectionA flaw or the state of not being perfect.impermeableClosed to the passage of fluid through its substance.impersonalWithout a connection to a particular individual.impertinenceDisrespectfully bold behavior or remarks.impertinenceLack of relevance or suitability to the matter at hand.impertinentUnrelated to the matter being considered.impertinentRude or disrespectfully bold.imperviousNot permitting penetration by an outside substance.impiousShowing disrespect for sacred things or moral duties.implacabilityThe quality of being impossible to appease or soften.implacableUnable to be calmed, softened, or stopped.impoliteNot showing courtesy or good manners.importuneTo ask someone persistently and urgently.impossibleBeyond what can be achieved.impotentLacking the capacity to perform a required action.impregnableImpossible or extremely difficult to overcome.improperNot appropriate or acceptable under the circumstances.improvisationCreating or performing something without preparation.improviseTo devise something in the moment using available means.imprudenceLack of sensible caution or practical judgment.imprudentNot showing sensible care in action or judgment.impudenceBold disrespect or shameless rudeness.impudentBoldly rude and disrespectful.impunityFreedom from punishment or harmful consequences.impureTainted by an unwanted substance.impurityContamination by an unwanted substance.inaccessibleBeyond practical reach or entry.inadequateNot enough or not good enough for a purpose.inadvertenceFailure to notice or attend to something.inanimateNot living or showing signs of life.inarticulateUnable to express thoughts clearly in words.inaudibleImpossible to hear clearly or at all.incapableUnable to do or experience something.incapacityLack of ability to act or carry out a task.incessantContinuing without pause or interruption.inclementUnpleasantly severe, especially of weather.incognitoA browser mode that does not retain local browsing history after the session ends.incognitoWith one's identity concealed.incommunicadoWithout communication with other people.incomparableBeyond meaningful comparison with anything else.incompatibleUnable to work or exist together because of a mismatch or conflict.incompetentLacking the capacity required for an action.incompleteNot having reached the required finished state.incomprehensibleImpossible or extremely difficult to understand.incongruityA mismatch or lack of harmony between things.incongruousNot fitting naturally with the surrounding situation.inconsiderateNot caring enough about other people's feelings or needs.inconsiderationFailure to give proper thought or attention to people or circumstances.inconsolableSo sad that nothing brings comfort.inconspicuousNot easily noticed or attracting attention.inconstantProne to change rather than remain steady or faithful.incontinentUnable to restrain an urge or bodily release.inconvenientCausing trouble or difficulty by being unsuitable for someone's needs.incorporealHaving no physical body or material form.incorrectNot matching facts or accepted standards.incorrigibleImpossible or very difficult to reform or correct.incorruptibilityThe quality of being immune to bribery or moral compromise.incorruptibleUnable to be spoiled or degraded.incredibleSo extraordinary that belief is difficult.incredulityUnwillingness or inability to believe something.incredulousUnwilling or unable to believe something.incurableUnable to be cured or remedied.indecencyBehavior or material that offends accepted standards of decency.indecentOffensive to accepted standards of decency or proper behavior.indecorousNot meeting accepted standards of proper behavior.indefatigableContinuing with energy despite effort or difficultyindefiniteNot clearly defined or fixed in nature, extent, or duration.indelibleImpossible to erase.indemnityAn assurance that a specified financial loss will be made good.independenceFreedom from another's control or the ability to act without relying on others.independentFree from outside control or able to act without others' help.indeterminateNot fixed or clearly known.indifferenceAbsence of interest, concern, or preference.indifferentNot caring about something or which option is chosen.indifferentNeither particularly good nor particularly bad.indigestibleResisting breakdown and absorption through digestion.indigestionDiscomfort caused by difficulty digesting food.indignantAngry at something seen as unfair or insulting.indignationAnger at something seen as unfair or wrong.indignityTreatment that humiliates people or offends their dignity.indirectReaching something through an intervening route or step.indiscreetCareless about what should be kept private or handled cautiously.indiscretionA lack of good judgment or restraint in what one says or does.indispensableAbsolutely necessary.indisputableImpossible to reasonably question or deny.indissolubleImpossible to break apart.indistinctNot clear or easy to make out.individualOne person or thing considered separately from others.indivisibleUnable to be divided or separated into parts.indolenceUnwillingness to make an effort.indolentHabitually unwilling to make an effort.indolentCausing little pain or progressing slowly.indomitableToo determined, brave, or strong to be defeated.indubitableImpossible to doubt or question.ineffableToo great or intense to be expressed in words.inefficiencyWasteful or unproductive use of time, energy, or resources.inelegantLacking grace or pleasing simplicity.ineluctableImpossible to avoid or resist.ineptLacking the skill or judgment needed to do something well.ineptitudeLack of skill or ability to do something well.inequalityA difference in value or standing between things compared.inertRemaining inactive under the conditions present.inertiaResistance to a change in an existing state of motion or rest.inestimableToo great or valuable to be measured.inevitableCertain to happen and impossible to avoid.inexcusableToo wrong or careless to be justified or forgiven.inexorableImpossible to stop or persuade to change.inexperienceLack of knowledge or skill gained through practice.inexplicableImpossible or very difficult to explain.infallibilityInability to make an error.infallibleUnable to make mistakes or fail.infamousWell known for something bad or disgraceful.infamyThe state of being widely known for evil or disgraceful actions.infancyThe first stage of life after birth.infantA child in the earliest stage of life.infantileCharacteristic of a very young child.infertileUnable to produce or sustain new living growth.infertilityA limited or absent capacity to produce new life.infidelA person who rejects or lacks a particular religious faith, or describing such a person, usually disparagingly.infidelityFailure to remain faithful, especially to a romantic partner.infiniteWithout any limit, boundary, or end.infinitesimalSo small in magnitude as to approach zero.infinitiveA basic verb form that does not show tense, often used with “to” in English.infinityA quantity or extent with no finite limit.infirmPhysically weak, especially from age or illness.infirmaryA place within an institution where sick or injured people receive care.infirmityWeakness or ill health of the body or mind.inflexibleResistant to bending under pressure.informalRelaxed and not governed by strict conventions or official procedures.infrequentNot happening often.ingrateA person who shows no gratitude.ingratitudeLack of thankfulness for help or kindness received.inhospitableUnwelcoming to those trying to live or remain there.inhumanOutside what is regarded as human in nature.inhumaneCruel or lacking compassion for suffering.inhumanityExtreme cruelty or lack of compassion toward others.inimicalHostile or harmful to someone or something.inimitableSo distinctive or excellent that it cannot be copied.iniquityGravely unjust or immoral behavior.injuriousCausing harm or damage.injuryDamage that impairs a person's physical condition.injusticeUnfair treatment or a violation of someone's rights.innocenceFreedom from participation in wrongdoing.innocentFree from involvement in wrongdoing.innocuousNot likely to cause harm or offense.innumerableToo many to be counted.inopportuneOccurring at an inconvenient or unsuitable time.inordinateExcessive in amount or degree.insaneSeverely disconnected from sound judgment or reality.insanityA severe disturbance of rational mental functioning.insatiableAlways wanting more and impossible to satisfy.inscrutableImpossible or very difficult to understand or interpret.insecureNot firmly protected against destabilizing harm.insecurityThe absence of dependable safety or stability.insensateLacking the capacity to feel what is present.insensibleWithout conscious perception or sensation.insensibleToo slight or gradual to be noticed.inseparableSo closely connected that they cannot be separated or considered apart.insincereNot expressing genuine feelings, beliefs, or intentions.insipidSo weak in flavor as to be unappealing.insolenceRude or disrespectful behavior or speech.insolentBoldly rude or disrespectful.insolubleUnable to dissolve in a liquid.insolubleImpossible or extremely difficult to solve.insolventUnable to pay debts owed.insomniaPersistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.instabilityThe state of being unsteady or liable to change or fail.insubstantialWithout enough solid substance to have weight.insufficientNot enough to meet a need or requirement.insuperableImpossible to overcome or solve.insupportableToo burdensome to be supported.intactRemaining whole and undamaged.intangibleNot physically touchable or readily measured.integerA whole number that is positive, negative, or zero.intemperanceLack of moderation or self-control.intemperateLacking moderation or self-control.interminableSeeming to last forever, especially because boring or tedious.intolerableToo unpleasant or painful to endure.intoleranceInability to tolerate a substance without adverse physical effects.intoleranceUnwillingness to accept people, beliefs, or behavior different from one's own.intolerantUnwilling to accept beliefs or behavior different from one's own.intolerantUnable to tolerate a particular substance or physical condition.intractableDifficult to manage or resolve.intransigenceStubborn refusal to compromise or change one's position.intransigentUnwilling to compromise or change a position.intransitiveA verb that does not take a direct object, or describing such a verb.intrepidBrave and determined when facing danger or difficulty.invalidNot acceptable under the relevant rules or reasoning.invalidWeakened by illness or disability, or a person in that condition.invariableRemaining unchanged across circumstances.invertebrateAn animal that has no backbone.invincibleImpossible to defeat or overcome.inviolableNot to be violated or infringed.inviolateKept safe from harm or violation.invisibilityThe state of being beyond sight.invisibleNot perceivable by sight.involuntaryNot resulting from a person's deliberate choice.invulnerableImpossible or extremely difficult to harm or defeat.irrationalA number that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers.irrationalNot based on reason or sound judgment.irrecoverableImpossible to recover or restore.irrefutableImpossible to disprove or convincingly argue against.irregularOutside an established regular pattern or organization.irregularityA departure from an expected pattern or rule.irreligiousLacking belief in or respect for religion.irreparableImpossible to repair or put right.irresistibleToo appealing or powerful to resist.irreverenceLack of respect for things considered serious or sacred.irreverentShowing little respect for things usually treated seriously.irrevocableImpossible to reverse or take back.