immeasurable

English

Etymology

From Middle English inmesurable, ynmesurable; equivalent to im- +‎ measurable.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪˈmɛʒəɹəbəl/, /ɪˈmɛʒɹəbəl/

Adjective

immeasurable (comparative more immeasurable, superlative most immeasurable)

1. impossible to measure
   • 1832, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Heath's Book of Beauty, 1833, The Enchantress, pages 12–13:

     Give me your hand, and in a few minutes we shall be in my own dwelling, amid those immeasurable deserts where only my story may be communicated.

   • 1960 March, Cecil J. Allen, “Locomotive Running Past and Present”, in Trains Illustrated, page 175:

     There is also the former Great Central main line which, though it climbs to an almost equal altitude at Dunford, has the immeasurable advantage of electric traction.

2. vast
   • 2007, Terence Hunt, “Longest-serving Bush aide resigns”, in Associated Press:

     "His contribution has been immeasurable," Bush said in a statement. "I value his judgment, and I treasure his friendship."

Usage notes

Also used tautologically as a spin word to avoid stating explicitly whether someone or something had a positive or negative effect. It is a neutral term equivalent to neither priceless nor worthless.

Synonyms

• immensurable
• unmeasurable

Antonyms

• measurable

Translations

Noun

immeasurable (plural immeasurables)

1. anything that cannot be measured
   • 2009 September 29, Madeleine Bunting, “Forget 'clients' and 'users' – public services are about people”, in Guardian‎:

     And inspiring good relationships is all about immeasurables: it is about inspiring purpose, compassion and attentiveness.

Translations