incorrigible
in-KOR-ih-jih-bul
/ɪnˈkɒrɪdʒəbl/
Not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed.
While it can be a harsh legal label for a youth who doesn't respond to treatment, it is often used playfully for someone with a stubborn but harmless habit.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'corrigere', which means 'to make straight' (think of a 'correct' line). If someone is 'in-corrigible,' they are 'not able to be made straight.' It suggests a permanent bend in character.
Word relationships
- unreformed: Unreformed simply means not yet changed; incorrigible means incapable of being changed.
- tractable: Tractable means easy to control or influence, the opposite of incorrigible.
Commonly confused with
- inveterate: Inveterate refers to a long-established habit (like an inveterate smoker); incorrigible refers to the inability to be corrected.
Word family
- incorrigibility (noun): The quality of being incorrigible.
Collocations
- incorrigible behavior
- incorrigible liar
- deemed incorrigible
Example sentences
- "The court labeled the youth incorrigible after he failed to follow the rules of three different group homes." Describing a difficult child.
- "He was an incorrigible rogue, but his charm made it impossible to stay angry at him." Literary description.
Memory hook
In-CORRECT-able: Someone who cannot be corrected. No matter what you do, they won't go straight.
When not to use
Avoid using for people with severe mental health issues where 'untreatable' is the medical term; 'incorrigible' implies a stubbornness of will.
Fun facts
- In the early 20th century, 'incorrigibility' was a specific legal charge used to commit children to reform schools.
Related words
Explore more words
irredeemable, irrevocable, incorruptible, immutable, recalcitrant, unruly
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