Unspeakable Meaning in English
word
/ənˈspikəbəɫ/
uhn-SPEE-kuh-buhl
/ʌnspˈiːkəbəl/
uhn-SPEE-kuh-buhl
Definition
So horrible, extreme, or shocking that it cannot be described in words. Also used to describe things that are too great or terrible to say aloud.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly formal and dramatic; used for describing very negative things (crimes, tragedies, suffering). Often paired with 'crime', 'evil', 'pain', or 'horror.' Rarely used for positive things. Do not use for everyday bad things—it's for the extreme.
Spanish: inexpresable - innombrablePortuguese (BR): indizível - inimaginávelPortuguese (PT): indizível - impensávelChinese (Simplified): 无法言喻的 - 难以启齿的Chinese (Traditional): 無法言喻的 - 難以啟齒的Hindi: अकथनीय - अवर्णनीयArabic: لا يوصف - لا يُطاقBengali: অবর্ণনীয় - ভাষাতীত (নেগেটিভ অর্থে)Russian: невыразимый - неописуемый - ужасный (для крайних случаев)Japanese: 言葉にできない - 言い表せないVietnamese: không thể diễn tả - không thể nói thành lời (tiêu cực)Korean: 형언할 수 없는 - 말로 표현할 수 없는Turkish: tarifsiz - anlatılamaz - kelimelerle ifade edilemezUrdu: ناقابل بیان - زبان پر نہ آنے والاIndonesian: tak terkatakan - tak terungkapkan
Example Sentences
The country suffered unspeakable tragedy last year.
basic
He committed an unspeakable crime.
basic
They showed unspeakable cruelty to the animals.
basic
What she went through was unspeakable—I can't even imagine it.
natural
There's an unspeakable sadness in his eyes.
natural
'We witnessed unspeakable horror that day,' he recalled quietly.
natural