irretrievable — impossible to recover, restore, or repair; permanently lost
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: impossible to recover, restore, or repair; permanently lost
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbl/
Example Sentences
- After deleting the folder without backup, my vacation photos became irretrievable.
- His reputation suffered irretrievable damage when the video of him singing karaoke went viral.
- The company's financial records were in an irretrievable mess after the intern reorganized the filing system.
irretrievable
ADJECTIVE[/ˌɪrɪˈtriːvəbl/]
impossible to recover, restore, or repair; permanently lost
a distressed hiker watches helplessly as his backpack tumbles down into the dark abyss below. The backpack spins and falls further away from reach with each passing second. The rocky walls are too steep and dangerous for anyone to climb down safely. Another hiker beside him shakes her head sadly, knowing there's absolutely no way to get it back. something that is impossible to recover, restore, or repair once it's permanently lost
What's irretrievable makes the pain barely believable!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Medieval Latin in the late 14th century, combining the prefix 'ir-' (meaning 'not') with 'retrieve', which itself comes from Old French 'retrover' (to find again). The compound expresses the state of being unable to recover or regain something lost.
Breakdown
ir- (not) + re- (back, again) + -triev- (find, from Latin 'tropare') + -able (capable of, worthy of). The morphemes combine to mean 'not capable of being found/recovered again'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After deleting the folder without backup, my vacation photos became irretrievable.”
“His reputation suffered irretrievable damage when the video of him singing karaoke went viral.”
“The company's financial records were in an irretrievable mess after the intern reorganized the filing system.”
“The marriage had reached an irretrievable breakdown according to the divorce papers.”
📚Related Words
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