What does irrepressible mean?
Word: Irrepressible
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Irrepressible means so lively and cheerful that nothing can hold you back.
Synonyms: unstoppable
How do you spell irrepressible?
Syllables: ir - re - press - i - ble
Tricky part: The ending is ible, and it sounds just like able, so irrepressable is the usual slip.
Watch out for: irrepressable, irrepressibal
Memory tip: The word opens with i and closes with ible: i at both ends.
Irrepressible in a sentence
Example 1: His irrepressible cheerfulness lifted everyone's spirits during the long queue.
Example 2: Grandmother's irrepressible curiosity had her learning to swim at seventy.
Example 3: The irrepressible puppy bounded out of the gate yet again.
Fun Fact
The Latin verb behind it, reprimere, meant 'to hold back', so an irrepressible person is one who cannot be held down, like a cork that keeps bobbing up in water.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
The irrepresible twins turned the quiet railway platform into a stage, singing folk songs and making even the tired porters smile and clap along.
a) singing
b) porters
c) irrepresible
d) platform
Show answer
c) irrepresible. The middle of the word has a double s.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Nothing could dampen the little girl's eelrispsreibr energy on the school trip.
a) irreversible
b) irrepressible
c) irresponsible
d) irresistible
Show answer
b) irrepressible. Irresponsible has an n and an o, irresistible a t, and irreversible a v.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word irrepressible as used in the sentence:
Even at the end of a long day, Asha's irrepressible humour kept the whole bus laughing.
a) bubbly
b) jolly
c) subdued
d) spirited
Show answer
c) subdued. A quiet, low-spirited person is the opposite of Asha.
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. irrepressible 2. enthusiasm 3. effervesent 4. exuberance
a) great high spirits
b) strong and eager interest
c) bubbling with fun and excitement
d) impossible to hold back
Show answer
c) bubbling with fun and excitement. Effervescent has a c after the s.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who is best described as irrepressible?
a) a man who naps all afternoon
b) a boy who sits silent through lessons
c) a child still joking after a long trek
d) a girl who avoids every school event
Show answer
c) a child still joking after a long trek
2. Which of these feelings could best be called irrepressible?
a) boredom
b) gloom
c) optimism
d) tiredness
Show answer
c) optimism
