inexplicable

adjective

in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl  (ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli- 

: incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for

an inexplicable disappearance

inexplicability

ˌi-nik-ˌspli-kə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

(ˌ)i-ˌnek-(ˌ)spli-

noun

inexplicableness

ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-bəl-nəs 

(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-

noun

inexplicably

ˌi-nik-ˈspli-kə-blē 

(ˌ)i-ˈnek-(ˌ)spli-

adverb

Synonyms

• inexplainable
• unaccountable
• unexplainable

Examples of inexplicable in a Sentence

He had a series of seemingly inexplicable accidents.

an inexplicable desire for ice cream at two in the morning

Recent Examples on the Web

After two Mahomes completions, including a seemingly inexplicable 25-yard pass to wide open Kelce in the middle of the field, Harrison Butker made a game-tying 49-yard field goal as time expired. —Jack Magruder, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Due to bots requesting OTPs without follow-through in registration, developers and product managers are left grappling with inexplicable disparities between actual registered and paying users. —Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025

In 2020, Baena wrote, directed, and produced Horse Girl, an offbeat psychological drama starring Brie as an odd introvert who experiences a series of inexplicable phenomena. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2025

That London shows are often panned in New York is, beyond that, inexplicable. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inexplicabilis, from in- + explicabilis explicable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inexplicable

adjective

in·​ex·​pli·​ca·​ble ˌin-ik-ˈsplik-ə-bəl  (ˈ)in-ˈek-(ˌ)splik- 

: impossible to explain

an inexplicable mystery

inexplicability

ˌin-ik-ˌsplik-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

(ˌ)in-ˌek-(ˌ)splik-

noun

inexplicably

-blē 

adverb