Unattainable Meaning
/ˌʌnəˈteɪnəbəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjImpossible to attain or reach; unable to accomplish
nounAnything that cannot be attained.
Sentence Examples
I longed for something unattainable.
Man approaches the unattainable truth through a succession of errors.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mountain peak was too high and dangerous, making it ____ for any climber.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Some people believe that perfection is an ____ goal, and it is better to focus on being as good as possible today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English attain Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlis Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able English unattainable From un- + attain + -able.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Efficiency for the sake of efficiency, unchallenged authority conferred upon those who know well a few things and ignore everything else, disdain for the ordinary and humble elements that introduce happiness in our lives, worship of unattainable utopiae, are some of the features of the scheme which leads inevitably to the suppression of the eternal gifts bestowed by God upon every human person and to the frightful prospect of being ruled by what he vividly names “the Empire of the Insect.”"
— 1974, The Chesterton Review, page 262:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The mountain peak was too high and dangerous, making it ____ for any climber.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Some people believe that perfection is an ____ goal, and it is better to focus on being as good as possible today.