VocabDictionary

unrelatable

/ʌn.rɪˈleɪ.tə.bəl/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Not able to be empathized with, connected to, or identified with; difficult for others to understand through their own personal experiences.

Example Sentences:
  • The billionaire's complaints about luxury travel felt completely unrelatable to the average working-class audience.
  • Her character in the film started off as selfish and unrelatable, but she grew on the viewers by the end.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “unrelatable”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Formed by affixation of the native English negative prefix un- (Old English un-, meaning 'not') to the adjective relatable, which itself derives from the verb relate (from Latin relātus, past participle of referre 'bring back, relate') combined with the suffix -able (from Latin -abilis, indicating capability or fitness). While 'relate' in this sense (to establish a sympathetic relationship) developed in modern psychological and sociological discourse, 'unrelatable' became especially prominent in contemporary digital culture to describe media, experiences, or people with whom one cannot connect.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'un-' (not) + 'relate' (to connect with) + '-able' (capable of). If a story is unrelatable, you are *unable* to *relate* to it.

Frequently Asked Questions About “unrelatable

1. What is the meaning of “unrelatable” in English?

In English, unrelatable (adjective) is defined as: “Not able to be empathized with, connected to, or identified with; difficult for others to understand through their own personal experiences.”.

2. How do you use “unrelatable” in a sentence?

The billionaire's complaints about luxury travel felt completely unrelatable to the average working-class audience.

3. What are English synonyms of “unrelatable”?

Common synonyms include:alien,inaccessible,detached,alienating

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “unrelatable”?

Formed by affixation of the native English negative prefix un- (Old English un-, meaning 'not') to the adjective relatable, which itself derives from the verb relate (from Latin relātus, past participle of referre 'bring back, relate') combined with the suffix -able (from Latin -abilis, indicating capability or fitness). While 'relate' in this sense (to establish a sympathetic relationship) developed in modern psychological and sociological discourse, 'unrelatable' became especially prominent in contemporary digital culture to describe media, experiences, or people with whom one cannot connect.