imperceptible

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌɪmpɝˈsɛptɪbəl/ See IPA manual

adj noun Freq #52555

Meanings

1

adj
So small, slight, or gradual that it cannot be noticed.

There was an almost imperceptible drop in temperature as the sun set.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · so small, slight, or... unperceivable imperceivable undistinguishable

More insensible undetectable

Opposites

perceptible

Word family

Derived forms imperceptibilityimperceptiblenessimperceptibly

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English imperceptible, from Middle French imperceptible and its etymon Medieval Latin imperceptibilis. By surface analysis, im- + perceptible.

*keh₂p- Proto-Indo-European imperceptible Middle English imperceptibilis la-med

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

# imperceptible

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** ˌɪmpɝˈsɛptɪbəl
**Frequency rank:** 52555

## Meanings
1. So small, slight, or gradual that it cannot be noticed.

## Examples
- There was an almost imperceptible drop in temperature as the sun set.

## Synonyms
- imperceivable
- insensible
- undetectable
- undistinguishable
- unperceivable

## Antonyms
- perceptible

## Derived Forms
- imperceptibility
- imperceptibleness
- imperceptibly

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *keh₂p-
- Root: imperceptible
- Root: imperceptibilis

## Etymology
Inherited from Middle English imperceptible, from Middle French imperceptible and its etymon Medieval Latin imperceptibilis. By surface analysis, im- + perceptible.

## AI Etymology
Imperceptible is inherited from Middle English imperceptible, from Middle French imperceptible and its etymon Medieval Latin imperceptibilis. By surface analysis, im- + perceptible. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern form is built from the named base and affix. Important recorded forms include *keh₂p- (Proto-Indo-European), imperceptible (Middle English), imperceptible (Middle French), and imperceptibilis (la-med). Current senses include so small, slight, or gradual that it cannot be noticed. The wider family includes derived forms such as imperceptibility, imperceptibleness, and imperceptibly.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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imperceptible

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