irreparable

/ɪˈrepərəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈrepərəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈre-p(ə-)rə-bəl ˌi(r)- also nonstandard ˌir-(r)ə-ˈper-ə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

irreparable — adjective

  • irreparablepositive
  • more irreparablecomparative
  • most irreparablesuperlative

1. So badly damaged or harmed that it cannot be fixed, corrected, or restored.

1.形容詞C1
釋義

So badly damaged or harmed that it cannot be fixed, corrected, or restored.

例句

After the flood, the family photo albums were irreparable.

pattern: be + irreparable

The fire caused irreparable damage to Hyun's small bookshop.

collocation: irreparable damage

同義詞
  • unfixable

    More everyday and informal, often used for objects rather than relationships or reputation.

  • beyond repair

    Common phrase for damage, especially to machines, buildings, or other physical things.

  • irreversible

    Focuses on a change that cannot be undone, not always on something that could be repaired.

反義詞
  • repairable

    Can be fixed or restored successfully.

  • recoverable

    More often used for losses, health, or situations that can still improve.

  • reversible

    Used when a change or process can be undone.

文法句型

irreparable + noun

be + irreparable

用法筆記

Often used before nouns such as damage, harm, loss, or rift. It can describe physical objects, but it is also common for relationships, reputation, or other situations that cannot be put right again.

常見錯誤

❌The torn passport is irreparable, so the office can easily fix it.
✅The torn passport is repairable, so the office can fix it.
💡Use 'irreparable' only when no practical repair or remedy is possible.
❌The watch was irreparablely damaged in the fall.
✅The watch was irreparably damaged in the fall.
💡Use the adverb 'irreparably' to modify 'damaged'; 'irreparable' is the adjective.
❌My loose shoe lace is irreparable.
✅My loose shoe lace just needs tying.
💡'Irreparable' is too strong for a small problem that can be fixed at once.