incorrigible

adjective

in·​cor·​ri·​gi·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈkȯr-ə-jə-bəl 

-ˈkär-

: incapable of being corrected or amended: such as

a(1)

: not reformable : depraved

(2)

: delinquent

b

: not manageable : unruly

c

: unalterable, inveterate

incorrigibility

(ˌ)in-ˌkȯr-ə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

-ˌkär-

noun

incorrigible noun

incorrigibleness

(ˌ)in-ˈkȯr-ə-jə-bəl-nəs 

-ˈkär-

noun

incorrigibly

(ˌ)in-ˈkȯr-ə-jə-blē 

-ˈkär-

adverb

Did you know?

If incorrigible Is a Word, Is Corrigible a Word?

Incorrigible has been part of English since the 14th century. Back then, it was used to describe people who were morally depraved, but now it is most often applied to people who merely have bad habits. Is there a "corrigible?" Yes, indeed, we've used "corrigible" in the sense of "capable of being set right; reparable" (as in "a corrigible defect" and "a corrigible sinner") since the 15th century. Both words are from Latin corrigere, which means "to correct" and which is also the source of our word correct.

Synonyms

• hopeless
• incurable
• irrecoverable
• irredeemable
• irreformable
• irremediable
• irretrievable
• unrecoverable
• unredeemable

Examples of incorrigible in a Sentence

The incorrigible maleness of men is a standing rebuke to the Rousseau-inspired notions of human moral plasticity that are central to liberalism. —Richard Lowry, National Review, 3 July 2000

At the heart of Roosevelt's style in foreign affairs was a certain incorrigible amateurism. His off-the-cuff improvisations, his airy tendency to throw out half-baked ideas, caused others to underrate his continuity of purpose … —Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., American Heritage, May/June 1994

Eating fugu … is an exotic custom that probably would appeal to every incorrigible mountain climber, skydiver and bungee-jumper in America. Why? The fugu is poisonous—and there's no antidote. —Max Friedman, Vegetarian Times, October 1993

Yes, this is a book about America … all seen through the fairy-book life of an incorrigible kid, abandoned by his parents and brought up in a reformatory … —Stephen Jay Gould, New York Times Book Review, 7 May 1989

an incorrigible habit of playing practical jokes

He is always the class clown and his teachers say he is incorrigible.

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump’s parents shipped their incorrigible second son off to military school 90 minutes outside New York City just after his 13th birthday. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2024

Maher’s always incorrigible political comedy takes the leftist approach to everything, using Democrats’ favorite tactic: insult and defamation. —Armond White, National Review, 7 June 2024

Based on their diagnosis of China as an existential and incorrigible threat, Pottinger and Gallagher offer a package of prescriptions to gird for an inevitable cold war with China. —Rush Doshi, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2024

Believe it or not, despite name changes, there are still several religious institutions where incorrigible youth can be sent when parents have reached the end of their rope. —Ed Martin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin incorrigibilis, from Latin in- + corrigere to correct — more at correct

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

incorrigible

1 of 2 adjective

in·​cor·​ri·​gi·​ble

(ˈ)in-ˈkȯr-ə-jə-bəl,

-ˈkär-

: not able to be corrected or reformed

an incorrigible gambler

incorrigible

2 of 2 noun

: an incorrigible person