unestimable
|un-est-i-ma-ble|
/ˌʌnˈɛstɪməbl/
cannot be estimated
Etymology
'unestimable' originates from the English negative prefix 'un-' (from Old English) and the adjective 'estimable', which ultimately comes from Latin, specifically the word 'aestimabilis' (from 'aestimare'), where 'aestimare' meant 'to value' or 'to appraise'.
'unestimable' developed when the negative prefix 'un-' was attached to Middle English 'estimable' (from Old French 'estimer' and Latin 'aestimare'). The progression is Latin 'aestimare' → Old French 'estimer' → Middle English 'estimable' → modern English 'estimable', then 'un-' + 'estimable' formed 'unestimable'.
Initially related to 'value' or 'able to be valued' (from Latin 'aestimare' meaning 'to value'), the word evolved in the negative form to mean 'not able to be estimated' or 'immeasurable' in current usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
too great or valuable to be estimated; incapable of being measured, calculated, or appraised; immeasurable or invaluable.
The influence of her research on the field is unestimable.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/25 08:07