irretrievable

[ ir-i-tree-vuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not capable of being retrieved; irrecoverable; irreparable.

irretrievable

/ ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbəl /

adjective

1. not able to be retrieved, recovered, or repaired

Derived Forms

• ˌirreˈtrievably, adverb
• ˌirreˌtrievaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of irretrievable¹

1695–1705; ir- ² + retrievable ( def )

Example Sentences

The Coroner, Lydia Brown, offered her condolences to his family telling the court "the state took Frank Ospina into detention and this jury found they let him down in numerous ways and of course his family down that is utterly regretful and now irretrievable."

From BBC

The break was decisive and irretrievable for Djokovic.

From BBC

To successfully transition the plastics system, the authors set out principles to ensure 'smart materials design' and differentiate between plastics which are recoverable and irretrievable after use, noting that there is not a one size fits all solution.

From Science Daily

"We have detailed strenuously for years that neither regulators nor industry can ensure against the permanent and irretrievable damage to Grand Canyon's aquifers and springs," McKinnon added.

From Salon

North Korea accused South Korea of scrapping the deal, known as the Comprehensive Military Agreement, and said Seoul will be held "wholly accountable in case an irretrievable clash breaks out" between the two Koreas.

From Reuters

Related Words

• absent
• adrift
• disoriented
• hidden
• invisible
• misplaced
• vanished