What does infallibility mean?
Infallibility is the condition of being incapable of error, wrong judgment, or failure. In ordinary discussion, the word is often used polemically to challenge claims that a person, organization, or doctrine is beyond criticism. It can refer literally to perfect accuracy, as in a claim about mathematical proof, but more often it describes an assertion of supreme authority or reliability. The related adjective "infallible" is commonly used with words such as "authority," "instinct," and "memory." Although the concept has a long religious history, especially in debates over papal authority, modern usage extends broadly to politics, law, science, and institutions. The word is useful when discussing the difference between being highly reliable and being treated as incapable of any mistake at all.
nounThe quality of being incapable of making an error or of being wrong. The word is most often used in negative or critical contexts, especially in debates about the authority of a person, institution, or system.
- The state of being incapable of making an error or of being wrong.
- By extension, the state of being regarded as completely reliable or authoritative.
"The speech questioned the infallibility of the committee's decision-making process."
"The court rejected the argument that any particular judge was infallible."
"In political rhetoric, the claim of institutional infallibility can be used to silence legitimate criticism."
Usually uncountable; the plural is rare and may refer to separate instances of absolute or unquestionable reliability.
"The discussion examined the infallibilities claimed by different political institutions."
Infallibility is a quality often denied to humans, yet asserted by institutions that claim authority beyond question.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infallibility come from?
The word comes from Latin "infallibilis," meaning "not fallible" or "incapable of error." It was formed through the Latin prefix "in-" and "fallibilis," which itself derives from "fallere," meaning "to deceive" or "to be deceived." The English form developed through the adjective "infallible" and the abstract noun formation "-ity," following the pattern of words such as "possible" and "possibility."
Related word forms
How infallibility is actually used
Usually used in formal or argumentative writing. It often carries a critical or skeptical implication when applied to people or institutions, while expressions such as "papal infallibility" belong to a specific religious doctrine.
Easily confused with infallibility
Infallibility means being incapable of error, whereas invulnerability means being impossible to damage or defeat.
Infallibility concerns the absence of mistakes, while impeccable more commonly describes conduct, performance, or appearance that is free from fault.