What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unfathomable
Example
The universe is unfathomable in its vastness and complexity. [unfathomable: adjective]
Example
The depths of the ocean are unfathomable to humans. [unfathomable: adjective]
unintelligible
Example
The speaker's accent made his words unintelligible to the audience. [unintelligible: adjective]
Example
The ancient text was written in an unintelligible language that no one could understand. [unintelligible: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unintelligible is more commonly used than unfathomable in everyday language. Unintelligible is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unfathomable is less common and tends to be used in more abstract or philosophical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between unfathomable and unintelligible?
Both unfathomable and unintelligible are formal words that are typically used in academic or intellectual contexts. However, unfathomable may have a more poetic or literary tone, while unintelligible is more straightforward and technical.
