Impenetrable

/ɪmˈpɛnɪtrəbl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
Impossible to pass through or enter.
The fortress's walls were made of impenetrable stone, keeping invaders at bay.
Unable to be understood or comprehended; obscure.
His explanation of the complex theory was impenetrable to the audience.
Dense or thick, often referring to physical substances.
The impenetrable fog covered the entire city, reducing visibility to near zero.

Etymology

Late Middle English, from Latin 'impenetrabilis', from 'in-' meaning 'not' + 'penetrabilis' meaning 'able to be penetrated'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

impenetrable logic:
Logic that is very difficult to understand or follow.
impenetrable barrier:
A barrier that cannot be crossed or penetrated.
impenetrable mystery:
A mystery that is impossible to solve or understand.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

So complex that no one can understand it.
His explanation was so impenetrable that I just nodded and smiled.
A person who is very private and difficult to read.
She's got an impenetrable personality; you can never tell what she's thinking.