immeasurable

English

Etymology

im- +‎ measurable

Adjective

immeasurable (comparative more immeasurable, superlative most immeasurable)

1. impossible to measure
2. vast
   • 2007, Terence Hunt, Longest-serving Bush aide resigns, Associated Press

     "His contribution has been immeasurable," Bush said in a statement. "I value his judgment, and I treasure his friendship."

Usage notes

Also used tautologically as a spin word to avoid stating explicitly whether someone or something had a positive or negative effect. It is a neutral term equivalent to neither priceless nor worthless.

Synonyms

• immensurable; unmeasurable

Antonyms

• measurable

Translations

vast

Czech: nezměrný (cs) m. Finnish: mittaamaton (fi)

Romanian: nemăsurabil (ro) m. and n., de nemăsurat (ro)

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Translations to be checked

Dutch: onmeetbaar German: unmeßbar (1), unermeßlich (2)

Noun

immeasurable (plural immeasurables)

1. Anything that cannot be measured.
   • 2009 September 29, Madeleine Bunting, “Forget 'clients' and 'users' – public services are about people”, Guardian:

     And inspiring good relationships is all about immeasurables: it is about inspiring purpose, compassion and attentiveness.