The word "inconceivable" is often misspelled by English learners due to its complex spelling. In IPA phonetic transcription, this word is pronounced as /ˌɪnkənˈsiːvəbəl/. The prefix "in-" is pronounced as /ɪn/, followed by the stressed syllable "con-" pronounced as /kən/. The next syllable "ceiv" is pronounced as /siːv/, and the final syllable "-able" is pronounced as /əbəl/. To remember the spelling of this word, it may be helpful to break it down into its syllables and pronounce each one separately. By doing so, learners can train their pronunciation and improve their spelling skills.
Inconceivable is an adjective that refers to something that cannot be comprehended or imagined due to being beyond the limits of human understanding, belief, or reasoning. It describes an idea, event, or concept that is exceedingly difficult or impossible to conceive, fathom, or grasp mentally.
When something is labeled as inconceivable, it implies that it cannot be easily understood or accepted by the human mind, either because it defies logic, contradicts known facts, or is simply too extraordinary to comprehend. It suggests an extreme degree of disbelief or incredulity.
The term inconceivable can be applied to various scenarios, such as astonishing accomplishments or feats that surpass human capabilities, phenomena that challenge scientific theories or principles, or events that transgress societal norms and expectations.
Furthermore, inconceivable can denote an element of surprise, shock, or astonishment. It often conveys a sense of wonder and amazement, emphasizing the absurdity or impossibility of a certain circumstance.
The word may also suggest the absence of any preconceived notions or expectations about a particular situation, where the mind is incapable of forming an image or understanding due to a complete lack of knowledge or reference points.
In summary, inconceivable refers to something that is beyond understanding, belief, or imagination, either due to its inherent complexity, extraordinary nature, unexpectedness, or lack of familiarity.
That cannot be imagined; incomprehensible.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "inconceivable" originated from the combination of two Latin roots: "in" meaning "not" or "lack of", and "conceivable" derived from "concepire", which means "to take in" or "to imagine". The Latin roots suggest that something inconceivable is beyond the realm of imagination or comprehension.