unsearchable

IPA/ʌnˈsɜːtʃ.ə.bəl/
IPA/ʌnˈsɝːtʃ.ə.bəl/

unsearchable — adjective

  • unsearchablepositive
  • more unsearchablecomparative
  • most unsearchablesuperlative

1. describes digital documents or databases that cannot be scanned or looked throug

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes digital documents or databases that cannot be scanned or looked through to find specific words, numbers, or other content.

例句

The scanned PDFs were unsearchable because they contained only images of the text.

cause: unsearchable because + technical reason

Dr. Nakamura typed the handwritten notes so they would not remain unsearchable.

passive: remain + unsearchable + purpose clause

同義詞
  • unindexed

    more specific — means no index has been created; a file can be unindexed but still searchable via raw text matching

  • unscannable

    focuses on the inability of software to read or process the content, not necessarily the search function itself

反義詞
  • searchable

    the direct opposite; able to be looked through for specific content

文法句型

be + unsearchable

remain + unsearchable

make [object] + unsearchable

用法筆記

Often used in technical contexts with the verb 'make' (to cause) or 'remain' (to stay in that state). The subject is typically a document, file, database, or collection of data.

常見錯誤

The book is unsearchable for answers.
The text is unsearchable.
💡The word refers to the searchability of the file or database itself, not to what someone is looking for inside it.

2. Something that is so difficult to make sense of that ordinary reasoning or inves

2.形容詞C2
釋義

Something that is so difficult to make sense of that ordinary reasoning or investigation cannot explain it.

例句

The artist's final painting remained unsearchable to critics, who could not agree on its meaning.

figurative: remain unsearchable to [person] = cannot be understood by

To the villagers, the ancient stone carvings were unsearchable symbols from a forgotten time.

同義詞
  • inscrutable

    implies that a person or expression cannot be read or interpreted; slightly narrower — focuses on emotional opacity rather than general mystery

  • unfathomable

    suggests a depth of meaning or emotion that cannot be fully reached; stronger literal metaphor of depth

  • impenetrable

    can mean impossible to understand or enter; often used for jargon-heavy writing

反義詞

文法句型

be + unsearchable

unsearchable + noun

用法筆記

Almost exclusively used in formal, literary, or religious contexts. Unlike Sense 1, this sense does not apply to computers or databases. The 'mystery' is something abstract, spiritual, or emotional that resists analysis.

常見錯誤

The math problem was unsearchable.
The math problem was impossible to solve.
💡For puzzles or problems with a logical answer, use 'unsolvable' or 'insoluble.' 'Unsearchable' suggests something deeper, more abstract, or spiritual that resists all investigation.