unbelievable

UK: ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəbl | US: ˌʌnbəˈliːvəbl

Definition

  1. adj. too extraordinary or improbable to be believed

  2. adj. astonishing or awe-inspiring

Structure
un <not>believe <accept as true>able <capable of>
Etymology

The word "unbelievable" combines three morphemes:

  1. "Un-" (Old English "un-"), a prefix meaning "not," negates the root.
  2. "Believe" (Old English "belȳfan," from Proto-Germanic *ga-laubjan), meaning "to accept as true."
  3. "-able" (Latin "-abilis"), a suffix indicating capability.
    Originally, "believe" referred to holding something dear or trustworthy, evolving into its modern sense of accepting truth. The addition of "un-" and "-able" transforms it into an adjective describing something so extraordinary that it defies belief.
Examples

  1. The magician's trick was unbelievable, leaving the audience in shock.

  2. Her recovery from the illness was unbelievable to the doctors.

  3. The storm caused unbelievable damage to the coastal town.

  4. He told an unbelievable story about meeting a celebrity.

  5. The team's victory was unbelievable after such a poor start.