unbelievably

UK: ʌnbɪˈliːvəbli | US: ʌnbɪˈliːvəbli

Definition

  1. adv. in a manner that is difficult or impossible to accept as true

  2. adv. to an extreme or astonishing degree

Structure
un <not>believe <accept as true>ly <adverb suffix>
Etymology

The word "unbelievably" is built from three clear morphemes:

  1. "un-" (Old English "un-"), a prefix meaning "not," negates the root.
  2. "believe" (Old English "belȳfan"), meaning "to accept as true," derives from Proto-Germanic *ga-laubjan ("to hold dear, trust").
  3. "-ly" (Old English "-līc"), an adverbial suffix indicating manner.

The progression is logical: "not" + "accept as true" + "in such a way" = "in a way that cannot be accepted as true." Over time, it gained an emphatic sense ("extremely").

Examples

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