infallible

[ in-fal-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. absolutely trustworthy or sure:

   an infallible rule.

2. unfailing in effectiveness or operation; certain:

   an infallible remedy.

3. not fallible; exempt from liability to error, as persons, their judgment, or pronouncements:

   an infallible principle.

4. Roman Catholic Church. immune from fallacy or liability to error in expounding matters of faith or morals by virtue of the promise made by Christ to the Church.

noun

1. an infallible person or thing.

infallible

/ ɪnˈfæləbəl /

adjective

1. not fallible; not liable to error
2. not liable to failure; certain; sure

   an infallible cure

3. completely dependable or trustworthy

noun

1. a person or thing that is incapable of error or failure

Derived Forms

• inˌfalliˈbility, noun
• inˈfallibly, adverb

Other Words From

• in·falli·bili·ty in·falli·ble·ness noun
• in·falli·bly adverb
• nonin·falli·ble adjective
• nonin·falli·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of infallible¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word infallibilis. See in- ³, fallible

Synonym Study

See reliable.

Example Sentences

Garfield, who is Jewish, said everyone, including Gibson, deserves a second chance because, "none of us are infallible," Variety reported.

From Salon

Kicker Cameron Dicker has been so consistent since joining the NFL — making 52 of 55 field-goal attempts and all 59 extra-point tries in this first three seasons — that he has come to be considered all but infallible.

From Los Angeles Times

Dalio, mercifully, does not claim he is infallible.

From BBC

This is from speaking to a lot of pilots, there's a stigma that pilots are infallible.

From Salon

And while it may not have been perfect, the series also infused “Star Wars” with new ideas, introducing a sect of Force users as well as different perspectives and nuance around the Jedi, who are not as infallible as fans want to believe.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• authoritative
• flawless
• foolproof
• unbeatable