adjective
ineffable
in-EF-uh-bul/ɪnˈefəbl/
Too great or intense to be expressed in words.
The father's ineffable joy leaves him speechless beside his newborn.
Etymology
Literally “not speakable,” ineffable describes something beyond the reach of words. In this sense, its greatness, intensity, or sacredness makes verbal expression inadequate.
In context
that kind of ineffable cultural moment that it tapped into
More examples
- The mountain sunrise fills us with ineffable awe.
- An ineffable sadness settles over him as he reads the letter.
- They sit in silence, moved by the painting's ineffable beauty.
Forms
ineffable
ineffably adverb — To a degree words cannot express.
ineffability noun — The quality of being beyond words.
Similar words
- indescribable
- Emphasizes difficulty describing something, not necessarily its overwhelming intensity.
- inexpressible
- Applies especially to feelings too strong to put into words.