'inimitability' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inimitabilis,' where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'imitari' meant 'to imitate'.

'inimitabilis' passed into Late Latin and Old French as 'inimitable' and then into Middle English as 'inimitable'; the noun form 'inimitability' developed later in English to denote the quality or state.

Initially it meant 'not capable of being imitated,' and over time it has retained that basic sense; the English noun emphasizes the quality or condition of being inimitable.