insufferable
UK[ɪnˈsʌf(ə)rəb(ə)l]US[ɪnˈsʌf(ə)rəb(ə)l]
adj
too extreme to bear; intolerable.
adj
unbearably arrogant or conceited.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
suffer
able
in
not
suffer
to bear
able
capable of
Etymology
the word "insufferable" is a late middle english formation, built upon the existing english verb "suffer". the verb itself originates from latin sufferre, a compound of sub- ("under") and ferre ("to bear"), conveying the sense of enduring something placed upon oneself. the negative prefix in- ("not") was added to this base, combined with the suffix -able ("capable of"), to create an adjective literally meaning "not capable of being borne". this literal sense of being unbearable evolved to describe not only intolerable conditions but also, by figurative extension, people whose arrogance is too extreme to endure.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + suffer (to bear) + able (capable of)
- in: a latin prefix meaning "not".
- suffer: from latin sufferre, meaning "to bear, undergo". in english, it functions as the verb root.
- able: a latin-derived suffix via old french, meaning "capable of, fit for".
Examples
the heat in the tiny room was insufferable.
she dismissed him with an insufferable air of superiority.
his insufferable boasting made him very unpopular at the party.