What does imperturbable mean?
Imperturbable describes a person, manner, or state that remains calm and unruffled despite provocation, pressure, or surprise. The word is especially associated with controlled emotional composure: an imperturbable negotiator neither loses patience nor betrays anxiety. It is more formal and literary than everyday alternatives such as calm or unflappable, and it can carry a slight implication of exceptional self-control, sometimes even coldness. Although used figuratively for people and behaviour, it can also describe a steady atmosphere, such as an imperturbable calm. The adjective is related to the Latin verb perturbare, “to disturb,” and became an English word in the early seventeenth century. Its distinctive force lies in presenting calmness as something maintained deliberately under pressure rather than merely felt in an easy situation. In that sense, imperturbable is useful for describing poise, endurance, and command in circumstances designed to test them.
adjectiveCalm and unruffled, especially in the face of provocation, pressure, or difficulty; showing controlled composure.
- Calm, composed, and unruffled, especially in the face of provocation, pressure, or difficulty.
"The negotiator remained imperturbable despite the barrage of questions and interruptions."
"Despite the sudden disruption, she remained imperturbable and continued the discussion calmly."
"The captain's imperturbable authority kept the passengers focused during the emergency."
From Latin perturbare, “to disturb”: imperturbable literally means “not to be disturbed.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does imperturbable come from?
Imperturbable was formed in Latin from the prefix im-, meaning “in” or “into,” and perturbare, meaning “to disturb”; perturbare was itself formed from per- and turbare. The word entered English in the early seventeenth century. English cognates include perturb, perturbation, and perturbative, all of which continue the sense of disturbance or disruption.
Related word forms
How imperturbable is actually used
Formal and literary in tone. It suggests deliberate, exceptional self-control and may carry a slightly critical implication of coldness or emotional reserve.
Easily confused with imperturbable
Impervious means unaffected by or indifferent to something, whereas imperturbable specifically describes calmness and composure maintained under provocation or pressure.