imperturbable
im-per-TER-buh-bul
/ˌɪm.pəˈtɜː.bə.bəl/
Unable to be upset or excited; calm under all circumstances.
Describes an almost invulnerable state of inner calm that cannot be shaken even by extreme provocation or catastrophe.
The story behind the word. Built from Latin 'in-' (not) plus 'turbare' (to agitate or throw into disorder, as in 'turbulence'). An imperturbable person is immune to emotional storms.
Word relationships
- unflappable: Unflappable is an informal, vivid synonym; imperturbable is elevated and formal.
- excitable: Excitable means easily stirred into emotional disturbance.
- perturbed: Perturbed means anxious or disturbed.
Commonly confused with
- impermeable: Impermeable means not allowing fluid to pass through; imperturbable means impossible to agitate.
Word family
- imperturbability (noun): The quality of being imperturbable.
- imperturbably (adverb): In an imperturbable manner.
Collocations
- imperturbable calm
- imperturbable demeanor
- imperturbable dignity
- imperturbable face
Idioms & expressions
- cool as a cucumber
Example sentences
- "The surgeon remained imperturbable even when blood pressure monitors began flashing emergency alerts." Professional environment
- "With his imperturbable calm, Inspector Poirot gathered the panicked witnesses in the drawing room." Literary character depiction
Memory hook
IM-PER-TURBABLE = IMPOSSIBLE to TURB-ulence. Immune to emotional turbulence.
When not to use
Do not use to describe physical objects or landscape weather.
Fun facts
- In Stoic philosophy, the concept of 'ataraxia' is the exact equivalent of imperturbability—freedom from mental disturbance.
Related words
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