irrepressible

[ ir-i-pres-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. incapable of being repressed or restrained; uncontrollable:

   irrepressible laughter.

irrepressible

/ ˌɪrɪˈprɛsəbəl /

adjective

1. not capable of being repressed, controlled, or restrained

Derived Forms

• ˌirreˈpressibly, adverb
• ˌirreˌpressiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• irre·pressi·bili·ty irre·pressi·ble·ness noun
• irre·pressi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irrepressible¹

First recorded in 1805–15; ir- ² + repressible ( def )

Example Sentences

At the outset of his career in 1998, his unique genre of songwriting was dubbed “popera” by a family friend — and his music does somehow encompass the catchy tune and the irrepressible rhythm of great pop within complex classical chord sequences and a Verdi-sized ambition.

From Los Angeles Times

Wrote Pat Calabria in Newsday after Rose was banished, “Behind the gleaming All-America smile and the irrepressible charm, Pete Rose has spent much of his career putting out one brushfire after another. Until now, he always managed to escape unharmed. . . . Rose was a remarkable hitter and enormously popular . . . his face was on the front of a Wheaties box. But the public image never did square with the private reality.”

From Los Angeles Times

Harris’ irrepressible, gorgeous grin symbolizes the shift and sums it up perfectly.

From Salon

Who would want to be uptight when you could be irrepressible?

From Salon

Who would want to be uptight when you could be irrepressible?

From Salon

Related Words

• boisterous
• buoyant
• ebullient
• exuberant
• rebellious
• uncontrollable
• unrestrained
• unstoppable