inscrutable

Advancedzipf 2.56

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈskruːtəbəl/(in-SKROO-tuh-bul)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

高深莫测的；难以理解的

Definition

Impossible to understand or interpret; mysterious.

Word family

  • inscrutably/ɪnˈskruːtəbli/(adv)高深莫测地
  • inscrutability/ɪnˌskruːtəˈbɪlɪti/(n)高深莫测

Collocations

  • inscrutable expression
  • inscrutable smile
  • inscrutable face
  • inscrutable motives

Examples

  1. 1.The diplomat maintained an inscrutable expression throughout the tense negotiations. (unreadable)
  2. 2.Her inscrutable smile left everyone wondering whether she was pleased or furious. (impossible to interpret)

Synonyms

  • enigmatic/ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/— mysterious, puzzling
  • unfathomable/ʌnˈfæðəməbəl/— impossible to understand
  • impenetrable/ɪmˈpɛnɪtrəbəl/— impossible to see through

Etymology

from Latin "inscrutabilis" — in- (not) + scrutari (to search/examine) — not able to be examined — beyond investigation