What does untellable mean?
Untellable is an English adjective for something that cannot be conveyed in words, whether because the experience is too intense, painful, or profound, or because the facts cannot be disclosed. It commonly describes grief, joy, suffering, and extraordinary experiences: an untellable sorrow may leave a person speechless, while an untellable story is one that seems beyond language. The word is formal and literary, and its use often suggests emotional saturation rather than a simple lack of storytelling ability. It overlaps with “indescribable” and “unutterable,” but “untellable” can also draw attention to the impossibility of recounting what happened. In ordinary discussion, “unbelievable,” “incredible,” or “beyond words” may sound less formal and can shift the emphasis toward wonder rather than the failure of language. Untellable is therefore useful when the point is not simply that an event was surprising, but that no verbal account can fully preserve it.
adjectiveUnable to be told or described, especially because an experience, feeling, or event is too intense, painful, or profound for words.
- That cannot be told or described, especially because an experience or feeling is too intense, painful, or profound for words.
"The sheer joy of seeing her again was untellable, so he simply embraced her."
"The grief was untellable, settling over the family in silence."
"Her sudden joy was untellable, though her smile said enough."
Sometimes the most powerful stories are not merely untold—they are untellable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does untellable come from?
Untellable is an English formation combining the negative prefix un- with the adjective tellable. The underlying verb tell comes from Old English tellan and is also related to words such as tale and teller. The compound untellable became established in English in the early nineteenth century and is now chiefly used in formal, literary contexts.
Related word forms
How untellable is actually used
Chiefly formal and literary. It often conveys emotional intensity or profound suffering, though it can also suggest that facts are impossible or forbidden to disclose.
Easily confused with untellable
Untold means 'not recounted' or 'not disclosed,' whereas untellable means 'not able to be recounted or described.'