inimitable

adjective

in·im·i·ta·ble (ˌ)i-ˈni-mə-tə-bəl

Synonyms of inimitable next

: 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.

Example Sentences

an inimitable performer of violin solos

Recent Examples on the Web The inimitable rock singer Tina Turner, who died Wednesday, May 24, at age 83, performed three shows at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Coliseum. —

Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 24 May 2023 Bidding on the first round of items from Williams’s inimitable collection begins on October 20. —

André-naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2022 The iconoclast Dutch composer, who proudly chose to work outside the traditional musical institutions (and who was friends with Rzewski), proved an inimitable musical and entrepreneurial influence on Bang on a Can founders David Lang, Julia Wolfe and Michael Gordon. —

Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2022 Tina Turner, the inimitable rock diva of the past four decades, is reportedly ready to quit touring this year. —

Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 24 May 2023 The South American nation was then the reigning champions, powered by the inimitable Diego Maradona. —

Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2022 After a BottleRock weekend hiatus, shows continue with rock legend Don McClean (June 2), jazz trumpeter Chris Botti (June 3) and the inimitable Rufus Wainwright (June 4). —

Anne Schrager, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 May 2023 Alphaville Jean-Luc Godard’s unique sci-fi film noir Alphaville stars the inimitable Eddie Constantine as secret agent Lemmy Caution, sent to Alphaville to eliminate Professor von Braun and take down the Alpha 60 computer that rules the city with an iron fist. —

K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 16 May 2023 The famed photographer transformed fashion editorials and portrait work with his inimitable eye for emotional connection, presence and drama, and has influenced generations of artists. —

Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 15 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inimitable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.