Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈkjʊə.rə.bəl/

Definitions

• Unable to be cured or remedied.
• (of a disease or condition) impossible to cure.
• (figuratively) Describing a person or situation that cannot be changed or improved.

Usage Examples

• He was diagnosed with an incurable illness.
• Despite his efforts, the damage seemed incurable.
• The situation felt incurable, with no solution in sight.

Etymology

From Latin "incurabilis," meaning "incurable," from "in-" (not) + "curabilis" (curable), from "curare" (to care for or heal), dating back to the late 16th century.

Synonyms

• Incurable
• Hopeless
• Irremediable
• Unhealable
• Unfixable

Antonyms

• Curable
• Treatable
• Remediable
• Healable

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

Pronunciation of "incurable" may vary slightly depending on regional accents, with differences in the length of vowel sounds and syllable emphasis. In some dialects, the initial "in-" may sound slightly more nasal, and the "u" sound may differ.

Historical Usage

The term "incurable" has been used since the 17th century, primarily in medical contexts to describe diseases or conditions that cannot be cured. Over time, the term expanded to describe any situation, condition, or problem that is believed to be impossible to resolve.

Cultural Nuances

In many cultures, incurable conditions are often tied to philosophical or religious ideas of fate or predestination. In some traditions, incurability may be seen as an unavoidable aspect of life that cannot be avoided or overcome through human effort alone.

More Information

The concept of incurability is central in the fields of medicine and law, where it often refers to conditions that cannot be healed with current methods or knowledge. Incurability can also refer to circumstances that are believed to be permanent or unalterable, such as societal or personal situations that cannot be changed despite efforts to improve them.