ineffable

/ɪnˈɛfəbəl/

/ɪnˈɛfəbəl/

Anything ineffable is unspeakably beautiful, moving, or horrible. It’s beyond expression. If something is so powerful or emotional that you can't even describe it, it’s ineffable.

Ineffable ideas and emotions are difficult to put into words. Parents might feel an ineffable sadness and pride when watching their youngest child graduate from high school. Ineffable can also be used to describe a name that is so sacred you’re not allowed to say it. This word comes from the adjective effable, which means “something that can lawfully be expressed in words,” and isn’t used much anymore.

Definitions of ineffable

1. adjective

   defying expression or description
   “ineffable ecstasy”

   synonyms: indefinable, indescribable, unspeakable, untellable, unutterable

   inexpressible, unexpressible

   defying expression
2. adjective

   too sacred to be uttered
   “the ineffable name of the Deity”

   synonyms: unnameable, unspeakable, unutterable

   sacred

   concerned with religion or religious purposes