unfathomable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unfathomable" is correct and it can be used in written English.
It is an adjective that describes something that is difficult or impossible to understand or comprehend. Example sentence: His puzzling behavior was unfathomable to everyone that knew him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And perhaps this is not a regrettable fact: "At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be infinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable" (Walden, XVII).

SEP

Unfathomable Ruination were in radio contact with organisers on the outside and, happily, the door handle eventually worked.

The Guardian - Arts

Coming from a sprinting background I'd have to say Usain I think, but the thing is the speeds that Mo and everyone else run at those distances is so fast as well, I think it's sort of unfathomable for someone like myself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Who knows, Briggs says, adding that lower house MPs mostly find the Senate unfathomable.

The Guardian

Related: Nigel Farage makes police complaint over Have I Got News For You The work and pensions secretary describes a vote for Ukip as "unfathomable" as it risks allowing a weak minority Labour government – backed by the SNP – to seize control of Downing Street".

The Guardian

To many, seeing a US soldier and a Muslim woman who is almost completely covered as a happily married couple is odd and unfathomable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because having the unfathomable luck to be born into a benign liberal democracy means I can live wherever the hell I damn well please.

The Guardian

The sweet-savoury, slightly unfathomable flavour goes brilliantly with clams and delicate summer garlic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfathomable Ruination had been invited by the Portuguese artist João Onofre to enter a steel cube, called Box Sized Die, that had been placed outside London's Gherkin as part of the Sculpture in the City festival.

The Guardian - Arts

In making 350 New Zealand certainly got more than they ought, not least because of some unfathomable England bowling that eventually brought Broad a five-wicket haul that he might not wish to tell his grandchildren about.

The Guardian - Sport

Unfathomable, futuristic madness: that's what made me want to visit Japan.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfathomable", ensure the context clearly establishes what is difficult to understand. Providing additional context can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "unfathomable" when simpler words like "difficult" or "complex" suffice. Reserve it for situations truly beyond easy comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unfathomable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that is impossible or extremely difficult to understand. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe abstract concepts such as mysteries or emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfathomable" is an adjective used to describe something that is impossible or extremely difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. Analysis of Ludwig's examples shows that the phrase is frequently found in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. Alternatives include "incomprehensible", "unintelligible", and "impenetrable". When employing this term, ensure that the context is appropriate for its strong connotation of incomprehensibility, avoiding overuse in place of simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incomprehensible

This term directly conveys the inability to be understood, closely mirroring "unfathomable".

unintelligible

Indicates a lack of clarity or coherence, making something impossible to grasp.

impenetrable

Suggests a barrier to understanding, implying that something is too complex to be accessed.

mysterious

Highlights the element of enigma and lack of explanation, indicating difficulty in understanding.

perplexing

Conveys a sense of bewilderment and confusion, making something hard to understand.

baffling

Implies a state of confusion and inability to comprehend something clearly.

obscure

Refers to something vague and unclear, hindering understanding.

enigmatic

Suggests a quality of being puzzling and difficult to interpret.

inscrutable

Emphasizes the impossibility of understanding someone's thoughts or feelings.

ambiguous

Highlights the presence of multiple interpretations, leading to confusion and difficulty in understanding.

FAQs

How to use "unfathomable" in a sentence?

Use "unfathomable" to describe something that is impossible to fully understand or comprehend. For example, "The depths of her grief were unfathomable."

What can I say instead of "unfathomable"?

You can use alternatives like "incomprehensible", "unintelligible", or "impenetrable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unfathomable" or "unfathomed"?

"Unfathomable" describes something impossible to understand, while "unfathomed" describes something that has not been explored or understood. They have distinct meanings and usages.

What's the difference between "unfathomable" and "mysterious"?

"Unfathomable" suggests an inherent inability to understand, whereas "mysterious" implies a lack of information or clarity, but not necessarily impossibility of understanding. Something mysterious may become clear with further investigation, but something "unfathomable" may remain beyond comprehension regardless.