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inimitable

inimitable

7 8.2
So special and good that no one can copy it
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪnɪˈmɪtəbl/
translation icon : inimitable
  • The artist's style is inimitable; no one else can replicate her unique vision.
  • inimitable style

How can we screw him and Nixon's inimitable delivery we're we're working on that, I think is how it ends.

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Examples

  • I'm pleased to introduce the inimitable and estimable Charlie Rose.

  • First, as always, I am captivated by the inimitable Monckton style, always great stuff.

    Blog text (16)
  • And of course, you will be bringing your own inimitable style and specialized knowledge to the table.

    Blog text (2)
  • I got to work with the inimitable Ana White on this perfect end table.

    Blog text (34)
  • The Nazis not only burned libraries but built them, too, in their own inimitable fashion.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Sam, wearing a uniform and a whistle around his neck, walking his inimitable walk, races up the field, coaching the team.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Holding forth with his inimitable cool, Dr. Robert Makurji, boy coroner.

  • I saw you on the slate, and I thought to myself: "How can I miss seeing a guest lecture by the inimitable John Nash?"

  • The museum is predominantly famous for the inimitable, extraordinarily stunning treasure trove from several ancient times.

    Blog text (34)
  • The ludi are written in Foster's inimitable style, both hyperbolic and humorous.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

unparalleled
vsinimitable
38 6.7

Better than anything else in quality or size

highlights that it cannot be imitated rather than only being exceptional
irreplaceable
vsinimitable
32 6.4

So special or valuable that you cannot get another one

emphasizes being unable to be copied rather than only being unique
incomparable
vsinimitable
20 6.0

So good or special that nothing else matches it

focuses more narrowly on the inability to be imitated
unmatched
vsinimitable
13 4.5

Being better or more impressive than anything else

stresses that it cannot be reproduced or copied by others
peerless
vsinimitable
5 7.2

So good that it has no match

focuses on being impossible to copy rather than just being excellent
unmatchable
vsinimitable
1 6.2

A person or thing that is better than all others

adds that its uniqueness also makes exact copying impossible
unsurpassable
vsinimitable
1 7.7

So good that no one can do better

instead points to being uniquely copyproof rather than only unsurpassed
irreproducible
vsinimitable
1 9.6

Not possible to repeat exactly

covers uniqueness in quality, not only inability to repeat outcomes

Antonyms

54 3.4

Ordinary and not special or new

4.7

Easy for other people to copy

How Exceptional

inimitable
7 8.2
unique
3 3.5
original
250 3.6
distinctive
104 3.9
ordinary
683 1.0

Surface Forms

inimitable positive

Morphology

inimitable = imitable (semi-transparent) = in + imitate + able

The step from 'imitable' to 'inimitable' is a regular negative-prefix formation meaning 'not able to be imitated'.

Etymology

Inimitable is made of the part in- meaning 'not' and the word imitate meaning 'to copy'. So something inimitable is 'not able to be copied', like a singer's voice or a cook's way that no one can match.