Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
Definition: Inscrutable |
InscrutableAdjective1. Of an obscure nature; "the new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms"; "a deep dark secret"; "the inscrutible workings of Providence"; "in its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim origins of life"- Rachel Carson; "rituals totally mystifying to visitors from other lands". Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
Date "inscrutable" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1258. (references) |
Etymology: Inscrutable \In*scru"ta*ble\, adjective. [Latin expression inscrutabilis compare to the French expression inscrutable. See In- not, and Scrutiny.]. (references) |
Synonyms: InscrutableSynonyms: cryptic (adj), cryptical (adj), deep (adj), mysterious (adj), mystifying (adj). (additional references) |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Unintelligibility | Adjective: unintelligible, unaccountable, undecipherable, undiscoverable, unknowable, unfathomable; incognizable, inexplicable, inscrutable; inapprehensible, incomprehensible; insolvable, insoluble; impenetrable. |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
Crosswords: Inscrutable |
| English words defined with "inscrutable": Imperscrutable, Inscrutableness, Inscrutably, Investigable ♦ Searchless, sphinx ♦ Unscrutable, Unsearchable. (references) |
| Domain | Usage | |
Lyrics | Her methods are inscrutable (SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE; performing artist: Robert Palmer) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | ||
| Domain | Title | ||
Books |
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Music |
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Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Subject | Topic | Quote |
Economic History | Laos | THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN AN INCREASINGLY CENTRALIZED DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, AS WELL AS THE DIFFICULTY ENCOUNTERED IN OBTAINING GENERAL INFORMATION, AUGMENT THE PERCEPTION OF THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AS ARBITRARY AND INSCRUTABLE. (references) |
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits. | ||
| "Inscrutable" is generally used as an adjective (general or positive) -- approximately 99.17% of the time. "Inscrutable" is used about 120 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Adjective (general or positive) | 99.17% | 119 | 29,501 |
| Noun (proper) | 0.83% | 1 | 339,140 |
| Total | 100.00% | 120 | N/A |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Expression | Frequency per Day |
inscrutable | 12 |
american inscrutable | 3 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Language | Translations for "inscrutable"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | |
Albanian | i panjohshëm (unrecognizable), i padepërtueshëm (impenetrable, impermeable, opaque, tight, unfathomable, unpenetrable), enigmatik (astral, baffling, cabalistic, cabbalistic, enigmatic, mystic). (various references) | |
Arabic | ملغز (cryptic, enigmatic), مبهم (abstruse, ambiguous, cryptic, dark, dim, enigmatic, equivocal, hazy, impenetrable, incomprehensible, misty, mysterious, mystic, obscure, recondite, unclear, unfathomable, unintelligible, vague), غامض (abstruse, ambiguous, cloudy, deep, dim, double faced, dreamy, enigmatic, evasive, fuzzy, grave, hazy, impenetrable, incomprehensible, indecisive, indefinite, indeterminate, indistinct, indistinguishable, intangible, lax, magic, magical, misty, mysterious, mystic, nebulous, obscure, occult, opaque, puzzling, recondite, secret, shady, sketchy, slippery, sloppy, uncertain, unintelligible, vague, woolly). (various references) | |
Bulgarian | неразгадаем (fathomless, impenetrable, indecipherable, unfathomable, unsearchable), неразбираем (abstruse, fathomless, impenetrable, inapprehensible, incomprehensible, ineligible, opaque, profound, unintelligible), загадъчен (apocalyptic, baffling, cryptic, delphian, delphic, enigmatic, mysterious, mystic, oracular). (various references) | |
Chinese | 难解. (various references) | |
Czech | nevyzpytatelný (enigmatic, impenetrable, inapprehensive, unfathomable, unsearchable, wayward), enigmatický (whimsical). (various references) | |
Farsi | مرموز (Cryptic, Exotic, Mysterious, Recondite, Shady, Unaccountable, Unco, Weird), نفوذناپذیر. (various references) | |
Finnish | tutkimaton (impenetrable, not investigated, unexamined, unexplored). (various references) | |
French | insondable, impénétrable, vague (incomprehensible, indefinite, indeterminate, indistinct, indistinguishable, inkling). (various references) | |
German | unergründlich (unfathomable, unfathomably, unsearchable, unsearchably), undurchschaubar (impenetrable, unfathomable), undurchdringlich (impenetrable, impermeable, impervious), unbegreiflich (incomprehensive). (various references) | |
Greek | ανεξιχνίαστοσ (impenetrable, indecipherable, traceless, unfathomable), ανεξιχνίατος (indecipherable), ανεξερεύνητοσ (uncharted, unexplored, unfathomed, unsearchable). (various references) | |
Hebrew | לא מובן (inapprehensible, incomprehensible), כמוס (concealed, hidden, latent, occult, secret, ulterior). (various references) | |
Hungarian | kifürkészhetetlen (bottomless). (various references) | |
Indonesian | tak dapat dimengerti. (various references) | |
Italian | inscrutabile. (various references) | |
Japanese Kanji | 解せない (incomprehensible). (various references) | |
Japanese Katakana | げせない (incomprehensible). (various references) | |
Korean | 측량할 수 없는. (various references) | |
Manx | neuscrialtagh (inscrutability), neuronsoilagh (inexplorable). (various references) | |
Pig Latin | inscrutableay.(various references) | |
Portuguese | inescrutável (unsearchable), incompreensível (unaccountable, weird), impenetrável (unfathomable, unpenetrable, unsearchable). (various references) | |
Romanian | enigmatic (ambiguous, enigmatic, enigmatical, obscure, riddling, unintelligible). (various references) | |
Russian | непостижимый (inapprehensible, incomprehensible, inconceivable, unknowable, unsearchable). (various references) | |
Serbo-Croatian | zagonetan (enigmatic, mysterious, puzzling), nedostižan (bottomless, elusive, hard to reach, inaccessible, unapproachable, unattainable, unavailable, uncome-at-able, unequalled, unscalable). (various references) | |
Spanish | inescrutable (bottomless). (various references) | |
Swedish | outgrundlig (unfathomable). (various references) | |
Thai | ไม่อาจหยั่งรู้ได้. (various references) | |
Turkish | sırrına erişilmez (unfathomable), esrarlı (arcane, cryptic, cryptical, deep, mysterious, mystical, numinous, occult, secret, unaccountable), anlaşılmaz (bottomless, clear as mud, complicated, deep, delphic, elusive, elusory, fathomless, impenetrable, inapprehensible, inarticulate, incomprehensible, inconceivable, inexplicable, intangible, obscure, occult, opaque, oracular, perplexed, puzzling, recondite, sphinxlike, unaccountable, uncanny, unintelligible, vague, weird). (various references) | |
Ukrainian | незбагнений, непроникний (impenetrable, impermeable, non-permeable, proof, unpenetrable). (various references) | |
Vietnamese | khó hiểu không dò được. (various references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references. | ||
| Language | Period | Translations |
| Latin | 500 BCE-Modern | inscrutabile, inscrutabilia. (various references) |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
Derivations | |
Words beginning with "inscrutable": inscrutableness, inscrutablenesses. (additional references) | |
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"Inscrutable" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: Incroyable, incrutable, inscruable, inscruatble, inscruitable, inscrutiable, inscrutible, inscutable, insrutable, instrutable, uncrushable. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
| # of Phoneme Matches | Pronunciation | Word(s) rhyming with "inscrutable" (pronounced i'nskruw"tubul) |
| 6 | -uw" t u b u l | indisputable, immutable, suitable, irrefutable, unsuitable. |
| 5 | -t u b u l | indestructible, indomitable, inequitable, inevitable, inexhaustible, inflatable, acceptable, accountable, adaptable, adjustable, adoptable, attributable, charitable, collectible, comfortable, compatible, constable, contemptible, contestable, convertible, copyrightable, countable, creditable, debatable, deductible, delectable, detectable, digestible, discountable, disreputable, eatable, electable, equitable, excitable, exportable, forfeitable, forgettable, habitable, harvestable, heritable, hospitable, imitable, imperceptible, implantable, incompatible, incontrovertible, suggestible, supportable, susceptible, inheritable, inhospitable, inimitable, injectable, insupportable, insurmountable, interruptible, intractable, investable, irresistible, irritable, lamentable, marketable, nonconvertible, nondeductible, notable, palatable, patentable, perceptible, portable, potable, predictable, presentable, preventable, printable, profitable, prosecutable, quotable, redoubtable, regrettable, rentable, repeatable, reportable, reputable, resettable, respectable, retractable, tractable, transmittable, transportable, treatable, unacceptable, unaccountable, unbeatable, uncollectible, uncomfortable, undetectable, unelectable, unforgettable, uninhabitable, unpalatable, unpredictable, unprintable, unprofitable, unsupportable, vegetable, veritable. |
| 4 | -u b u l | incurable, indefatigable, indefensible, indefinable, indelible, indescribable, indispensable, indistinguishable, indivisible, inedible, ineffable, ineligible, inescapable, inexcusable, inexorable, inexplicable, infallible, infeasible, inflammable, accessible, abominable, achievable, actionable, addressable, admirable, admissible, adorable, advisable, affable, affordable, agreeable, allowable, amenable, amendable, amiable, amicable, analyzable, answerable, appealable, applicable, appreciable, approachable, approvable, arable, arguable, attainable, audible, available, avoidable, bankable, bearable, believable, billable, biodegradable, breakable, buildable, burnable, callable, cannibal, capable, changeable, chargeable, classifiable, collapsible, Combinable, commendable, communicable, comparable, compensable, comprehensible, conceivable, confirmable, considerable, consumable, controllable, credible, crucible, culpable, curable, defensible, definable, degradable, deliverable, demonstrable, dependable, deplorable, deployable, depreciable, describable, desirable, despicable, detachable, determinable, developable, disagreeable, discernible, discoverable, dishonorable, dispensable, disposable, distinguishable, divisible, doable, drinkable, drivable, durable, edible, eligible, Embraceable, employable, enforceable, enjoyable, enviable, equable, erasable, erodible, estimable, exchangeable, excludable, excusable, execrable, exercisable, expandable, expendable, explainable, extendable, extendible, fallible, fashionable, fathomable, favorable, feasible, fissionable, fixable, flammable, flexible, forcible, foreseeable, forgivable, formidable, fungible, fusible, gullible, hon, honorable, horrible, identifiable, illegible, imaginable, immiscible, immovable, impassable, impeachable, impeccable, impenetrable, impermissible, implacable, implausible, imponderable, impossible, impracticable, impregnable, impressionable, improbable, inaccessible, inadmissible, inadvisable, inalienable, inapplicable, inaudible, incalculable, incapable, incomparable, incomprehensible, incompressible, inconceivable, incorrigible, incredible, soluble, solvable, spendable, submersible, survivable, sustainable, syllable, talkable, tangible, taxable, teachable, tenable, terrible, inflexible, innumerable, inoperable, insatiable, inseparable, insoluble, insufferable, intangible, intelligible, interchangeable, interminable, intolerable, invaluable, invincible, inviolable, invisible, invulnerable, irascible, irreconcilable, irremediable, irreparable, irreplaceable, irrepressible, irresponsible, irreversible, irrevocable, issuable, justifiable, knowledgeable, laudable, laughable, leasable, legible, liable, likable, likeable, livable, lovable, malleable, manageable, mandible, maneuverable, measurable, memorable, microwavable, miscible, miserable, moldable, movable, navigable, negligible, negotiable, noncallable, nondurable, nonrefundable, nonrenewable, nontaxable, nontransferable, noticeable, objectionable, observable, obtainable, operable, ostensible, palpable, parable, passable, payable, peaceable, perishable, permeable, permissible, personable, persuadable, pitiable, plausible, pleasurable, pliable, possible, practicable, preferable, probable, programmable, provable, punishable, questionable, reachable, readable, realizable, reasonable, receivable, rechargeable, recognizable, recordable, recoverable, recyclable, redeemable, reducible, refundable, reliable, remarkable, removable, renewable, repairable, repayable, replaceable, reprehensible, resealable, responsible, returnable, reusable, reversible, revocable, ridable, salable, saleable, salvageable, seasonable, sensible, serviceable, sizable, sizeable, sociable, tolerable, traceable, tradable, tradeable, trainable, transferable, transferrable, tunable, typeable, unaffordable, unalienable, unalterable, unanswerable, unassailable, unattainable, unavailable, unavoidable, unbearable, unbelievable, unbuildable, unconscionable, uncontrollable, undeniable, understandable, undesirable, unemployable, unenforceable, unenviable, unexplainable, unfashionable, unfathomable, unfavorable, unfeasible, unflappable, unforeseeable, unforgivable, ungovernable, unimaginable, unimpeachable, uninsurable, unintelligible, unjustifiable, unknowable, unlivable, unmanageable, unmentionable, unmistakable, unobtainable, unquestionable, unreachable, unreadable, unreasonable, unrecognizable, unreliable, unremarkable, unsalable, unshakable, unsinkable, unsolvable, unspeakable, unstoppable, unsustainable, untenable, unthinkable, untouchable, untraceable, unusable, unverifiable, unwinnable, unworkable, usable, variable, venerable, verifiable, viable, visible, voluble, vulnerable, washable, wearable, winnable, workable. |
| 3 | -b u l | able, amble, assemble, babble, Babel, bauble, bible, bramble, bubble, Bumble, cable, cobble, coble, corbel, crumble, cymbal, dabble, Dibble, disable, disassemble, dissemble, double, Drabble, dribble, enable, enfeeble, ennoble, ensemble, fable, feeble, foible, fumble, gable, gamble, Garble, global, gobble, Gribble, grumble, hardscrabble, herbal, hobble, humble, ignoble, immeasurable, immobile, squabble, Stabile, stable, stubble, stumble, symbol, table, intertribal, jumble, kibble, label, libel, marble, mislabel, mobile, mumble, nibble, nimble, noble, nonverbal, pebble, preamble, psychobabble, quibble, rabble, ramble, reassemble, rebel, redouble, relabel, resemble, Roble, rouble, roundtable, rubble, Ruble, rumble, sable, Scrabble, scramble, scribble, shamble, Sibyl, thimble, timetable, treble, tremble, tribal, trouble, tubal, tumble, turntable, umbel, unable, unscramble, unserviceable, unstable, valuable, verbal, wamble, wobble. |
Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits. | ||
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
| Words within the letters "a-b-c-e-i-l-n-r-s-t-u" | |
-1 letter: incurables, lacustrine, lubricants, lubricates, subcentral. | |
-2 letters: antiulcer, bacterins, braunites, brutalise, cisternal, clarinets, incubates, incurable, insurable, interclub, larcenist, lubricant, lubricate, retinulas, scrutable, subaltern, tribunals, truancies, turbinals, unstabler, urbanites. | |
-3 letters: abluents, alunites, anuretic, arbuscle, articles, auntlier, auricles, bacterin, baculine, baluster, banister, barniest, blastier, braunite, brisance, brucines, burliest, bustline, cabinets, calibers, calibres, canister, carbines, carlines, centaurs. | |
| Words containing the letters "a-b-c-e-i-l-n-r-s-t-u" | |
+2 letters: elucubrations. | |
+3 letters: binocularities, constabularies, rediscountable, relubrications, republications, unpredictables. | |
+4 letters: antituberculous, inscrutableness, prepublications. | |
+5 letters: antituberculosis, commensurability, inscrutabilities, uncharitableness. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
