incorrigibility - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
incorrigibility Word Meanings
- the quality of being unable to be corrected or reformed
- a state of being resistant to change or improvement
- the inability to manage or control one's behaviors or habits
incorrigibility Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
incorrigibility Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ɪnˌkɒr.ɪ.dʒɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/
US
/ɪnˌkɔːr.ɪ.dʒɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/
incorrigibility Word Etymology
The word 'incorrigibility' is formed from the prefix 'in-' (not) + the root 'corrigere' (to correct) + the suffix '-ility' (quality of). It originates from Latin, evolving through Old French into English. Imagine a stubborn child who refuses to learn from mistakes, embodying the essence of incorrigibility.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Incorrigibility is the quality of being unable to be corrected or reformed; it applies to stubborn habits, entrenched attitudes, or behaviors that resist change even after repeated feedback. In everyday English, the term often carries moral weight: someone described as incorrigible is seen as unreformable in a lasting, almost fixed way. Etymologically, incorrigibility comes from in- (not) + corrigere (to correct) + -ibility (a state or quality). The word is common in academic writing, psychology, or literary critique, and less so in casual conversation, where milder terms like stubborn or unchangeable might be used instead.
Usage Reminders
- - Use incorrigibility as a formal noun, not for casual everyday talk.
- - Pair with concrete examples of persistent behavior.
- - Differentiate it from stubbornness or obstinacy.
- - Avoid applying it to minor mistakes or short-term lapses.
- - Check tone: it often carries moral judgment and critique.
- - Contrast with reform efforts to highlight the degree of change needed.
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing incorrigibility with mere stubbornness or laziness.
- Thinking it applies to minor, everyday mistakes.
- Assuming it can be easily resolved with a single intervention.
- Believing it describes a temporary lapse rather than a lasting trait.
- Using it to shame someone for bad behavior instead of describing a pattern.
Thinking Differences
In English, incorrigibility is a formal, morally tinted noun that signals a near-permanent pattern; learners often confuse it with simple stubbornness or with mere failures to learn from a mistake.
Learning Tips
- Study incorrigibility as a noun, not an adjective form like incorrigible.
- Compare with related terms: stubbornness, obstinacy, unreformability.
- Practice with formal contexts (essays, critiques).
- Note common collocations: incorrigibility of behavior, display/incorrigibility.
- Create contrastive sentences showing gradual change vs. incorrigibility.
- Read scholarly texts to see how authors deploy the term.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the definition of 'incorrigibility'?
A.A state of being perfectly polite
B.The ability to quickly learn and adapt
C.The quality of being incapable of being corrected or reformed
D.The quality of being easily influenced
Step 2: Usage
Select the correct usage of the word 'incorrigibility' in a sentence.
A.Her incorrigibility allowed her to adapt to every rule without failure.
B.Despite numerous interventions, his incorrigibility made him impervious to change.
C.The incorrigibility of the sun shone brightly on the houses.
D.The student's incorrigibility was praised during the graduation ceremony.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'incorrigibility'?
A.Reformability
B.Unchangeability
C.Adaptability
D.Correctness
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'incorrigibility'?
A.Defiance
B.Flexibility
C.Immutability
D.Overconfidence
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where 'incorrigibility' applies?
A.A child who refuses to listen to advice and continues bad behavior despite repeated warnings.
B.A person who changes their opinions based on new information.
C.An individual who successfully learns from past mistakes and improves over time.
D.A student who studies hard and receives good grades.
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