inapplicably
|in-ap-pli-ca-bly|
/ˌɪnəˈplɪkəbli/
(inapplicable)
not applicable
Etymology
'inapplicable' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'applicare', where 'ad-' (appearing as 'ap-') meant 'to' and 'plicare' meant 'to fold or attach'.
'inapplicably' developed from the adjective 'inapplicable' (in- + 'applicable'); 'applicable' comes via Middle English/Old French from Latin 'applicare', and the adverb was formed by adding the suffix '-ly' to the adjective.
Initially the Latin root meant 'to attach or apply'; over time it produced the adjective meaning 'able to be applied' and its negative 'not applicable', and the adverb now means 'in a manner that is not applicable.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner that is not applicable; not relevant or not appropriate to the situation.
The guideline was inapplicably strict for those small local events.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/24 02:53