unquenchable — impossible to satisfy or suppress; not able to be extinguished or quenched
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: impossible to satisfy or suppress; not able to be extinguished or quenched
Pronunciation (IPA): /ʌnˈkwɛntʃəbl/
Example Sentences
- Even after drinking five bottles of water, he had an unquenchable thirst during the exam.
- Many civil service candidates have an unquenchable desire to pass the exam on their first try.
- The firefighters worked all night, but the unquenchable flames kept spreading.
unquenchable
ADJECTIVE[/ʌnˈkwɛntʃəbl/]
impossible to satisfy or suppress; not able to be extinguished or quenched
His unquenchable curiosity keeps him reading long past midnight.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This word originates from Old English 'cwencan' (to extinguish, quench), combined with the Germanic negative prefix 'un-' and the productive suffix '-able' (capable of). The base verb 'quench' historically referred to extinguishing fire or satisfying thirst, and the prefix-suffix combination negates this capacity, creating a word meaning 'incapable of being extinguished or satisfied'.
Breakdown
un- (not, negation) + quench (from Old English cwencan, meaning to extinguish or satisfy) + -able (capable of, able to be). The construction literally means 'not able to be quenched or extinguished'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Even after drinking five bottles of water, he had an unquenchable thirst during the exam.”
“Many civil service candidates have an unquenchable desire to pass the exam on their first try.”
“The firefighters worked all night, but the unquenchable flames kept spreading.”
“My cat has an unquenchable curiosity about every box in the house, no matter how small.”
📚Related Words
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