Make Your Point > Archived Issues > INEFFABLE

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.

connect today's word to others: Let's break our word ineffable into four meaningful pieces: In (not) + ef (out) + fa (speak) + ble (able) = ineffable. It literally means "not able to be spoken out." An ineffable idea can't be expressed in words. You can't spit it out. Words would fail it. That middle bit, "fa," is from the Latin fari, "to say or speak," which gave us tons of other words, like fable, confess, preface, infant (literally someone who "doesn't speak" yet), as well as our word _ffab__, which means "kind, friendly, and easy to talk to." So when you can't describe something in words because it's too deep, too great, too extreme, call it ineffable. And when you can't describe something in words because it's so dull and featureless that there's nothing to say about it, call it non____ript. And when you can't describe it in words because you can't put your finger on it but it's just so wonderful, call it a j_ n_ s___ q___: French for "I don't know what." (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "INEFFABLE" Aside from being a slang term, "eff" is pretty close to being Latin for "to speak out." Something effable can be spoken about: you can talk about it, or you can put it into words. But we hardly ever use the word "effable." We use its opposite. Something ineffable is extremely hard (or impossible) to put into words, usually because it's so intense. Pronunciation: in EFF uh bull Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "an ineffable thing." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was ineffable.") Other forms: ineffably, ineffability/ineffableness How to use it: "Ineffable" is prettier and more poetic than synonyms like "unutterable" and "unspeakable." And compared to those synonyms, which usually describe bad things, "ineffable" works equally well for emphasizing good and bad things. Talk about ineffable grace and mercy and wisdom, ineffable pain and anguish and heartache, an ineffable feeling or sensation, an ineffable need or longing for something, an ineffable reason for something, an ineffable quality in someone or something, etc. And, you might talk about works of art, music, and literature that capture, convey, or explore the ineffable. As you can see, "ineffable" usually describes ideas and qualities, not people. But you can call someone an ineffable fool or coward, an ineffable romantic or idealist, etc., meaning that person has that quality in an abundance that can't even be expressed in words. examples: The poem spoke to us through our ineffable grief; we had it printed on the programs for the funeral. When my family surprised me with a kitten of my own, I sat silent with her the first hour or so, snuggling her, awash in ineffable joy. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "ineffable" means when you can explain it without saying "inexpressible" or "defying description." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "I will never (talk, joke, or forget) about _____. To me, it's ineffably (private, personal, sacred, moving, or powerful)." Example: "I will never forget about how our new next-door neighbors welcomed us so warmly, with such generosity. To me, it was ineffably moving." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "Game of Games!" Guess the one-word title of each board game, using your knowledge of vocabulary. From our previous issue:  Designed by Robert Harris, this game takes place in a fantasy world where players work to build their strength, hoping to endure the trials that will conclude the game. The title means "anything that protects you or brings you good luck." It's pictured below, with the title blurred out. What game is this? Answer: Talisman. Check out the game here and the word here. Try this today:  Designed by Bernd Brunnhofer, this game has players attempting to please an unpredictable set of gods with prayer, temples, and monuments. The title's most general meaning is "a set of important people or things that are worshiped or treated with respect." It's pictured below, with the title blurred out. What game is this? review today's word: 1. The exact opposite of INEFFABLE is EFFABLE. But a close opposite of INEFFABLE is A. ACCEPTABLE. B. DEFINABLE. C. BRIBABLE. 2. Your English teacher will eat this up: write that your novel has an "ineffable poignancy." Plus, that'll free you up from _____. A. thinking of a sufficiently broad thesis statement B. actually explaining what you mean C. having to check for typos Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. B