Definition

Not able to be obtained or reached.

Example

The rare artifact was deemed unobtainable by the museum.

Conversation

Have you heard about that new phone they released?

Yeah, but I heard it's basically unobtainable right now.

That's so frustrating! I wanted to get one for my birthday.

Same here! It seems like everyone wants it, making it really hard to find.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unobtainable → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not), "ob-" (meaning toward), "tain" (from Latin "tenere", meaning to hold), and "-able" (meaning capable of). The word describes something that is not capable of being held or acquired.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'not' ('un-') 'able' to be 'held' ('tenere') or 'acquired' — that's why unobtainable means it cannot be obtained.

Visually Confused Words