inevitable
in-EV-it-uh-bul
/ɪnˈɛvɪtəbl/
Certain to happen; unavoidable.
Suggests a force or trend that cannot be stopped, regardless of effort.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'evitare' (to avoid), with the prefix 'in-' (not). It literally means 'that which cannot be shunned.'
Word relationships
- unavoidable: Inevitable often sounds more formal and philosophical than unavoidable.
- avoidable: Something that can be prevented with effort.
Commonly confused with
- certain: Certain describes a fact; inevitable describes a process that cannot be stopped.
Word family
- inevitability (noun): the quality of being certain to happen
- inevitably (adverb): as is certain to happen
Collocations
- inevitable conclusion
- seem inevitable
- accept the inevitable
Example sentences
- "Change is inevitable. Change for the better is a full-time job." Politics
- "The rise of automation seems inevitable in the current industrial climate." Technology
Memory hook
If it is 'in-evit-able', you can't 'evade' it. In-evade-able.
When not to use
Don't use for things that are merely likely; use it only for things that are 100% certain.
Fun facts
- In the Marvel movies, the villain Thanos famously says, 'I am inevitable.'
Explore more words
fatalistic, immutable, predestined, fatalism, irrevocable, unequivocal
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