infallible

adjective

in·​fal·​li·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈfa-lə-bəl How to pronounce infallible (audio)
1
: incapable of error : unerring
an infallible memory
2
: not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint : certain
an infallible remedy
3
: incapable of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals
infallibility noun
infallibly adverb

Did you know?

Watch out when you hear about infallible predictions, an infallible plan, an infallible cure, or even infallible lip gloss. Infallible isn't a claim that scientists, engineers, and doctors like to make, so you're probably getting better information when the word not comes first. You may have heard the phrase "papal infallibility", which refers to the official position of the Roman Catholic church, adopted in the 19th century, that certain solemn statements made by a Pope about faith or morals were not to be questioned. Popes since then have been careful not to make many of these statements.

Examples of infallible in a Sentence

I never claimed to be infallible. There is no infallible remedy to these problems.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Denver’s not infallible by any stretch, but it’s played well on defense and special teams most of the season, and the run game has ramped up in recent weeks. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2024 No one is infallible, of course, and a desire to hold people accountable could be taken too far. Stephen M. Walt, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2019 Unfortunately, lots of people these days try to quote AI as though the AI is infallible. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 The trick is not infallible: Lawrence’s mid-2000s comedy Undateable began as the story of a player teaching a nerd how to talk to women, and (again) very quickly pivoted into a hangout comedy about their appealing friends from a bar. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infallible 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin infallibilis, from Latin in- + Late Latin fallibilis fallible

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infallible was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near infallible

Cite this Entry

“Infallible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infallible. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

infallible

adjective
in·​fal·​li·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈfal-ə-bəl How to pronounce infallible (audio)
1
: not capable of being wrong : unerring
an infallible memory
2
: not likely to fail : sure
an infallible remedy
infallibility noun
infallibly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on infallible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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