What does unelectable mean?
Unelectable is an adjective meaning that someone is unlikely or unable to be elected. In its most common political use, it describes a candidate whom voters, party officials, or commentators believe has little realistic chance of winning. The word may apply because of a scandal, sustained unpopularity, a weak record in office, damaged relations with party voters, or an opponent considered overwhelmingly strong. Its force is usually practical rather than strictly legal: an unelectable candidate may still be eligible to stand and may even appear on a ballot. The term is used in both British and American English, especially in news reporting and political commentary. Outside politics, it can occasionally mean unsuitable for an office or role, though this broader use is less usual. Unelectable conveys a more decisive judgment than merely saying that an election will be difficult, and it can imply that a candidate's prospects are so poor that political figures or donors would be foolish to support them.
adjectiveUnable or ineligible to be elected, especially considered unlikely to win an election because of unpopularity or other political liabilities.
- unlikely to be elected, especially because of unpopularity or other political liabilities
- unable or legally ineligible to be elected
"The scandal left the senator practically unelectable."
"Following the corruption inquiry, the governor was regarded as unelectable."
"The amendment would make the candidate legally ineligible to hold office."
A politician can be eligible on paper and unelectable in practice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unelectable come from?
Unelectable was formed in English from the prefix un-, the base elect, and the suffix -able, literally conveying the sense of not being able to be elected. Elect derives from Latin eligere, formed from e- and legere, meaning to choose or pick out. The same Latin root appears in related English words such as elective, election, electorate, and eligible.
Related word forms
How unelectable is actually used
Chiefly used in political contexts and common in journalism and informal discussion. It often describes a candidate's poor prospects rather than a formal bar from standing for election.
Easily confused with unelectable
An ineligible person is legally barred from being elected, whereas an unelectable candidate may qualify to stand but is considered unlikely to win.
Unelected means having not been chosen in an election, while unelectable means being unlikely or unable to be chosen.