incorrigible
UK: ɪnˈkɒrɪdʒəbl | US: ɪnˈkɔːrɪdʒəbl
adj. (of a person or behavior) not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed
adj. (of a habit or trait) impossible to change or rectify
incorrigible = in<not> + corrig<correct> + ible<able to>
- in: Prefix meaning "not" (from Latin in-).
- corrig: Root derived from Latin corrigere ("to correct, set straight").
- ible: Suffix meaning "able to" (from Latin -ibilis).
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin incorrigibilis, combining in- (negation) + corrigere ("to correct") + -ibilis (capability). It entered Middle English via Old French, retaining its core meaning of "uncorrectable." The term originally described moral or behavioral flaws resistant to reform, later expanding to habits or traits deemed unchangeable. The logic follows: corrigere (to straighten) → inability to be straightened → stubbornly persistent.
The teacher sighed, declaring the mischievous student incorrigible.
His incorrigible optimism persisted even in the face of failure.
Some habits are incorrigible despite repeated efforts to change them.
The novel’s protagonist is an incorrigible rogue with a heart of gold.
She laughed at his incorrigible tendency to exaggerate stories.