How Do You Spell UNOBTAINABLE?

Pronunciation: [ʌnɒbtˈe͡ɪnəbə͡l] (IPA)

The word "unobtainable" is spelled with the prefix "un-" meaning "not", the root word "obtain" meaning "to get" and the suffix "-able" meaning "capable of being". The stress falls on the third syllable, "-tain-". In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ʌnəbˈteɪnəbəl/. The pronunciation includes the schwa sound in the unstressed syllables and emphasizes the long 'a' sound in the stressed syllable. This word describes something that is impossible to obtain.

UNOBTAINABLE Meaning and Definition

  1. Unobtainable is an adjective that describes something that is impossible or extremely difficult to acquire, attain, or achieve. It refers to something that is beyond the reach or grasp of someone or something due to various factors such as scarcity, unavailability, impracticality, or inaccessibility.

    In terms of material possessions, unobtainable relates to items that are either extremely rare, expensive, or no longer manufactured or sold. It suggests that acquiring or obtaining such objects is highly improbable or virtually impossible. For instance, a vintage limited-edition designer handbag may be considered unobtainable to many due to its high price and limited availability.

    In a broader context, unobtainable can also pertain to intangible things such as goals, dreams, or aspirations. It implies that reaching or achieving these objectives is highly challenging, if not entirely unattainable. This could be due to personal limitations, societal constraints, or external circumstances that hinder the fulfillment of these desires or ambitions.

    Furthermore, unobtainable may also describe a person who is unattainable in a romantic or emotional sense. It characterizes individuals who are difficult to approach, win over, or form a relationship with, often due to their disinterest, unavailability, or high standards.

    Overall, unobtainable signifies something that is beyond ordinary reach, presenting either physical, metaphorical, or emotional barriers that make it exceptionally difficult or impossible to obtain, acquire, or achieve.

  2. Not within reach or power.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for UNOBTAINABLE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for UNOBTAINABLE

Etymology of UNOBTAINABLE

The word "unobtainable" is derived from the combination of the prefix "un-" and the word "obtainable".

The prefix "un-" is of Germanic origin, and it is used to express negation or reversal of the meaning of a word. In this case, it denotes something that is not obtainable or unable to be obtained.

The term "obtainable" comes from the verb "obtain", which originated from the Latin word "obtinēre". "Obtinēre" is a combination of the prefix "ob-" (meaning "in the way" or "towards") and the verb "tenēre" (meaning "to hold"). "Obtain" originally meant "to get hold of" or "to possess", and over time, it developed the meaning of "to acquire" or "to gain possession of".

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