Basic Details
Word: Invincible
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Too strong to be defeated or beaten.
Synonyms: unbeatable, unconquerable, indomitable
Antonyms: beatable, vulnerable, weak
How to Spell Invincible
Syllables: in - vin - ci - ble
Tricky part: The s sound is spelt with c, and the ending is -ible, not -able. Both vowels before the c are i.
Watch out for: invinsible, invincable, invencible
Memory tip: The vinc part comes from Latin vincere, to conquer, which also gave us victor. In means not, so invincible is not conquerable: in + vinc + ible.
Usage Examples
Example 1: After ten wins in a row, the team began to feel invincible.
Example 2: In the story, the giant thought he was invincible until a boy outwitted him.
Example 3: Nobody is invincible, so always wear a helmet.
Fun Fact
The Spanish Armada of 1588 was called the Invincible Armada by some, yet storms and an English fleet wrecked it.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word invincible as used in the sentence:
The army that marched into the valley believed it was invincible.
a) vulnerable
b) proud
c) mighty
d) unbeatable
Show answer
a) vulnerable. An invincible army cannot be beaten; a vulnerable one is easy to attack.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters:
inv_nc_ble
a) i, i
b) e, i
c) i, a
d) e, a
Show answer
a) i, i. Both gaps take i: the vin that comes from Latin vincere, and the -ible ending.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word:
1. terrable 2. invincible 3. responsable 4. sensable
a) having a duty to look after something
b) too strong to be defeated
c) showing good judgement
d) very bad or unpleasant
Show answer
b) too strong to be defeated. Responsible, sensible and terrible all end in -ible, which is why the -able versions are wrong.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. An invincible army is one that ____.
a) has no weapons
b) always runs away
c) cannot be defeated
d) is very small
Show answer
c) cannot be defeated
2. Which word is closest in meaning to invincible?
a) invisible
b) unbearable
c) unbeatable
d) unbelievable
Show answer
c) unbeatable
