inimitable

adjective

in·​im·​i·​ta·​ble (ˌ)i-ˈni-mə-tə-bəl 

: not capable of being imitated : matchless

her own inimitable style

inimitableness noun

inimitably

(ˌ)i-ˈni-mə-tə-blē 

adverb

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How Should You Use inimitable?

Something that is inimitable is, literally, not able to be imitated. In actual usage the word describes things so uniquely extraordinary as to not be copied or equaled, which is why you often hear it used to praise outstanding talents or performances. (The antonym imitable describes things that are common or ordinary and could easily be replicated or surpassed.) Inimitable derives via Middle English from Latin inimitabilis. Be careful not to confuse it with inimical or inimicable, two adjectives meaning "hostile" or "harmful"; those words derive from the same Latin root that gave English enemy—inimīcus.

Synonyms

• incomparable
• matchless
• nonpareil
• only
• peerless
• unequaled
• unequalled
• unexampled
• unmatched
• unparalleled
• unrivaled
• unrivalled
• unsurpassable
• unsurpassed

Examples of inimitable in a Sentence

an inimitable performer of violin solos

Recent Examples on the Web

From the rocky coastline of Dalmatia to the rolling green hills of Istria, Croatia’s diverse terroirs, indigenous grapes, and vintage variation act together to create an inimitable fingerprint within each bottle. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Most of the cast rises to meet the quality of his inimitable patter, particularly in the cases of Stiller, Claudia Schiffer, and Joe Pantoliano, upon whose backs the core mystery hinges. —Sean Malin, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024

There’s a dreamlike, storybook charm to Dickens’ world, and Carrey is an inimitable vessel for this approach to the story. —Sezín Devi Koehler, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Yoshiki himself is on a DTLA rooftop with the skyline and the city’s inimitable light as his backdrop, accompanied by a small string section. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inimitabilis, from in- + imitabilis imitable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inimitable

adjective

in·​im·​i·​ta·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈim-ət-ə-bəl 

: not capable of being imitated : matchless

her own inimitable style