What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unfordable
Example
The river was unfordable due to the heavy rain. [unfordable: adjective]
Example
The mountain range was unfordable, and we had to find an alternate route. [unfordable: adjective]
impassable
Example
The road was impassable due to the fallen trees after the storm. [impassable: adjective]
Example
The steep cliff made the path impassable, and we had to turn back. [impassable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impassable is more commonly used than unfordable in everyday language. Impassable is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unfordable is less common and refers to a more specific type of obstacle.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unfordable and impassable?
Both unfordable and impassable are formal words that are typically used in technical or specialized contexts, such as geography, transportation, or engineering.
