Word of the Day - 09/29/25
incorrigible
/ɪn'kɔrɪdʒəbəl/(adj.): difficult or impossible to manage or control
The incorrigible child refused to sit still during the entire ceremony, making him difficult to manage.
(adj.): impervious to correction by punishment
Even after repeated punishments, his incorrigible lying persisted, showing he was impervious to correction.
Word Origin
The word 'incorrigible' originates from Latin. It is formed from the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of', combined with 'corrigibilis'. 'Corrigibilis' itself comes from 'corrigere' meaning 'to correct' or 'to set right', which is further composed of 'com-' (assimilated to 'cor-') meaning 'together' or 'with', and 'regere' meaning 'to guide', 'to rule', or 'to make straight'. The suffix '-ibilis' denotes 'able to be' or 'fit for'. Thus, 'incorrigible' literally means 'not able to be corrected' or 'incapable of being reformed'.
Words with similar origins include 'correct' (from 'corrigere'), 'rectify' (from 'rectus', past participle of 'regere'), 'regent' (from 'regere'), and 'dirigible' (from 'dirigere', another derivative of 'regere')