ineffaceable

[ in-i-fey-suh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not effaceable or eradicable; indelible:

   an ineffaceable impression.

ineffaceable

/ ˌɪnɪˈfeɪsəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being effaced; indelible

Derived Forms

• ˌinefˌfaceaˈbility, noun
• ˌinefˈfaceably, adverb

Other Words From

• inef·facea·bili·ty noun
• inef·facea·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ineffaceable¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; in- ³ + effaceable ( def )

Example Sentences

It’s “good to think with” on a vast range of topics: the chauvinism of a strain of literary criticism, the ineffaceable damage done by families of origin, why we can never again recapture the happiness we felt in old relationships or even fully understand why we were actually there, to say nothing of why we are here now.

From Los Angeles Times

"From King David's time to our own, President Trump has now etched his name into the ineffaceable story of Jerusalem," the vice president said in a speech last year at the Israeli Embassy in Washington.

From Salon

It fell over Elisha like a golden robe, and struck John’s forehead, where Elisha had kissed him, like a seal ineffaceable forever.

From Literature

The relic, with ghostly, ineffaceable traces of the original handiwork, is in the show.

From The New Yorker

Describing his acts as “shameful and ineffaceable”, Kim said he feels sorry for his crime and appealed to North Korean authorities to show him mercy by forgiving him.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• enduring
• lasting
• memorable
• stirring
• unforgettable