WordGarden.iounobtainable
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnɒbtˈeɪnəbəl/
US
- /ˌənəbˈteɪnəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
not able to be obtained or acquired
Beyond the definition
Something can be called unobtainable when it cannot be gotten, reached, or achieved, no matter how much someone wants it. It is not just hard to get; it is out of reach. We often use this word for dreams, goals, or things people want but cannot have. A child might wish for a rare toy that is no longer sold, while an adult might chase a dream that can never quite come true. Think of a star in the night sky: bright and beautiful, but far beyond anyone's hand.
The word "unobtainable" describes something that is impossible to get, acquire, or achieve. It goes beyond simply being difficult or expensive; it implies a fundamental barrier preventing possession. Imagine a legendary artifact lost for centuries—it's not just hard to find, it is likely unobtainable.
"Unobtainable" often applies to abstract concepts as well as physical objects. A perfect world is unobtainable, as is complete happiness or eternal youth. It can also describe something that is beyond one's financial means: "A mansion on the coast was an unobtainable luxury for the young couple." Or it might refer to a skill or talent someone lacks: "Fluency in ten languages seemed an unobtainable goal."
The word carries a sense of frustration and perhaps even wistful longing. It suggests something deeply desired but forever out of reach. You might say, "He pursued an unobtainable ideal," meaning he chased after a perfect vision that could never be realized.
Sometimes, "unobtainable" is used ironically or humorously to exaggerate the difficulty of acquiring something. But at its core, it signifies impossibility—a barrier that cannot be overcome. So if something feels truly beyond your grasp, forever out of reach... it's likely unobtainable.
Examples
- 1
Supply shortage
During the strike, fresh milk was unobtainable in some parts of the city.
- 2
Housing costs
For many first-time buyers, a house in that area is financially unobtainable.
- 3
Collectibles
The original vinyl edition is now almost unobtainable, even from specialist collectors.
- 4
Scientific certainty
In science, absolute certainty is unobtainable, so researchers focus on strong evidence instead.
See also
Similar
- unavailable
- inaccessible
- out of reach
Shades of meaning
- unattainable
- elusive
- prohibitively expensive
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- unobtainable item
- unobtainable goal
- virtually unobtainable
Word family
- obtain
- obtainability
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unobtainableadjective