Word of the Day

: May 31, 2008

impeccable

adjective im-PECK-uh-bul

What It Means

1 : not capable of sinning or liable to sin

2 : free from fault or blame : flawless

impeccable in Context

Although the restaurant was a bit expensive, we found its memorable cuisine, luxurious decor, and impeccable service to be well worth the price.

Did You Know?

The word "impeccable" has been used in English since at least 1531. It derives from the Latin word "impeccabilis," a combination of the Latin prefix "in-," meaning "not," and the verb "peccare," meaning "to sin." "Peccare" has other descendents in English. There is "peccadillo," meaning "a slight offense," and "peccant," meaning "guilty of a moral offense" or simply "faulty." There is also "peccavi," which comes from Latin, where it literally means "I have sinned," and which is used in English as a noun meaning "an acknowledgment of sin."