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Michael841 Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Unspeakably

Hi
I stumbled upon this brilliant word just now! I found the description to be : used to emphasize how bad a situation is. but then I found another example in which it reads: "unspeakable joy" .
Now I'm confused! Could someone cast a light, please?
  

Top answer

Hi, The word has two meanings. 1. Describing something that cannot be expressed in words.

— Clive

  • Hi, The word has two meanings.
  • 1.
  • Describing something that cannot be expressed in words.
  • 2.
  • Something that is so bad that it cannot be described.
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2 Answers
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Hi,



The word has two meanings.



1. Describing something that cannot be expressed in words.

2. Something that is so bad that it cannot be described.



#2 is the common meaning, but your example uses #1.



Clive
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CliveThe word has two meanings.

1. Describing something that cannot be expressed in words.
2. Something that is so bad that it cannot be described.
It seems like a conundrum. 2. cannot be described, and 1. cannot be expressed.
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