Definition

Something that cannot be sold or is very difficult to sell.

Example

The old car was considered unsellable due to its many problems.

Conversation

I tried to sell that old bike, but it seems completely unsellable.

Really? What’s wrong with it?

It has a rusty chain and flat tires, so no one wants it.

I guess that does make it quite unsellable after all.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unsellable → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "sell" (from Old English "sellan", meaning to give or deliver). The suffix "-able" (meaning capable of) indicates that something is not capable of being sold. Thus, "unsellable" means something that cannot be sold.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'not' ('un-') able to be 'sold' — that's why unsellable means it cannot be sold.

Visually Confused Words