inimitable
- So distinctive or excellent that it cannot be imitated or equaled.
In a sentence
- The comedian delivered the eulogy in his inimitable style — somehow making the audience laugh and cry simultaneously.
- Coltrane's inimitable tone on the saxophone has influenced jazz musicians for more than half a century.
Usage note. Inimitable is often used as a warm compliment and pairs naturally with 'style,' 'wit,' 'charm,' or 'voice'; it is a formal word that can sound ironic or affectionate depending on context.
Where it comes from
English inimitable · entered English mid-16th c.
From Latin 'inimitabilis,' meaning 'that cannot be imitated,' from 'in-' (not) and 'imitabilis' (capable of being imitated), derived from 'imitari' (to imitate). The word entered English in the mid-16th century. The Latin 'imitari' is also the source of 'imitate,' 'imitation,' and 'image,' all sharing a root connected to the idea of likeness or copying.