unutterable

[/ʌnˈʌtərəbəl/]
adjective
inefável
1. Too great, intense, or extreme to be expressed in words; indescribable
The unutterable beauty of the sunset left us speechless.
A beleza inefável do pôr do sol nos deixou sem palavras.
2. Not to be uttered or spoken; unspeakable
He committed unutterable acts of cruelty.
Ele cometeu atos de crueldade inefável.
3. Forbidden or improper to speak about
In Victorian times, certain topics were considered unutterable in polite society.
Na era Vitoriana, certos tópicos eram considerados indizíveis na sociedade educada.
This word is more commonly found in literary or formal contexts in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese. It carries a somewhat archaic or poetic quality in modern usage, often appearing in descriptions of profound emotional or aesthetic experiences. In Brazil, 'inefável' is frequently used in literary works and formal speech to convey something beyond expression.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
indescribableineffableunspeakableinexpressibleindescribablebeyond words
Antonyms / Antônimos
expressibledescribablespeakablearticulate

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
inefável
Most common and standard usage
General Brazilian
indizível
Also acceptable, emphasis on what cannot be said
General Brazilian
indescritível
Used when emphasis is on what cannot be described
Portugal
inefável
Standard European Portuguese equivalent

Related Words

utteranceutterineffableunspeakableindescribableinexpressible

Related Idioms & Phrases

unutterable joy
unutterable despair
unutterable relief
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →