incorrigible Hear it!

incorrigible Definition

in·cor·ri·gible (in kôrə jə bəl, -kär-)

adjective

not corrigible; that cannot be corrected, improved, or reformed, esp. because firmly established, as a habit, or because set in bad habits, as a child

Etymology: ME incorygibile < OFr < LL incorrigibilis

noun

an incorrigible person

incorrigible Related Forms

in·cor′·ri·gibil·ity noun or in·cor·ri·gible·ness in·cor·ri·gibly adverb

incorrigible Synonyms

incorrigible

modif.

incurable, uncorrectable, intractable; see hopeless 2, irreparable, unruly.

incorrigible Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • enemy: We are bidden pray for our enemies, but not for the malicious, incorrigible enemies of Christ.
  • womanizer: Eventually, The Doge's patience wears out and he vows to banish Casanova from the city unless the incorrigible womanizer takes a wife.
  • habit: But the Chancellor's incorrigible habit of claiming credit for every success and washing his hands of every failure makes him exceptionally vulnerable to criticism.