unimaginably

IPA/ˌʌnɪˈmædʒɪnəbli/
IPA/ˌʌnɪˈmædʒɪnəbli/

unimaginably — adverb

1. to a degree or extent that is so extreme — whether in size, quality, cruelty, be

1.adverbB2
Definition

to a degree or extent that is so extreme — whether in size, quality, cruelty, beauty, or scale — that your mind cannot easily picture it or accept it as real.

Example

The palace was unimaginably grand, with over two hundred rooms decorated in gold.

collocation: unimaginably grand

Ada felt an unimaginably deep sense of relief when her medical tests came back normal.

unimaginably + adjective of emotion (deep relief)

Common collocations
  • unimaginably beautiful
  • unimaginably cruel
  • unimaginably vast
  • unimaginably wealthy
  • unimaginably complex
  • unimaginably powerful
  • unimaginably rich
  • unimaginably difficult
Synonyms
  • incredibly

    Much more common in everyday speech; less formal and less dramatic.

  • unbelievably

    Similar in meaning but slightly more conversational; focuses on the hearer's scepticism.

  • inconceivably

    More formal and literary; emphasizes that the mind literally cannot grasp the idea.

  • astonishingly

    Focuses on the emotional reaction of surprise rather than on the limits of imagination.

Antonyms
  • slightly

    Opposite end of the degree scale: a small or minor amount.

  • barely

    Only just; the opposite of a large, extreme degree.

Grammar Patterns

unimaginably + adjective

unimaginably + verb (especially past participle)

Usage Note

Typically modifies adjectives that express extreme qualities (beautiful, cruel, vast, complex, wealthy) or past participles describing large-scale events (damaged, improved, expanded). More common in descriptive writing and journalism than in casual conversation, where extremely or incredibly are preferred.

Common Mistakes

The view was unimaginably.
The view was unimaginably beautiful.
unimaginably is an adverb and must modify an adjective or verb; it cannot stand alone as a complement.
This is an unimaginably disaster.
This is an unimaginable disaster.
use the adjective unimaginable before a noun; unimaginably is only for modifying adjectives or verbs.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four adverbs intensify an adjective beyond ordinary expectation, but they differ in how they frame the extremity. Incredibly (most common in speech) suggests something so remarkable that it strains belief — akin to 'you would not believe how…'. Unbelievably is close in meaning but implies the hearer might actually doubt the claim, making it more conversational ('unbelievably cheap flights'). Inconceivably carries a more formal, intellectual tone: the thing is not merely surprising but literally impossible to form a mental picture of, often used for abstract scale ('inconceivably vast distances of space'). Astonishingly focuses on the emotional jolt of surprise rather than on imagination. For example: a castle might be unimaginably grand (your mind cannot picture its size), incredibly grand (it amazes you), or astonishingly grand (it takes your breath away). Each word emphasises a different facet of extremity.

incredibly ↗unbelievably ↗inconceivably ↗astonishingly ↗

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed from the prefix un- ('not'), the adjective imaginable ('able to be formed in the mind', from Latin imago 'image' via Old French), and the adverb-forming suffix -ly. The base verb imagine entered English in the 14th century; the full adverb unimaginably appeared in the 17th century, used most often in religious and philosophical writing before broadening into general descriptive use.

First known use

1611

1611, in the meaning defined above