What does irreproachable mean?
Word: Irreproachable
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Irreproachable means so good that nobody could find any fault in it. It is a formal word, used about behaviour, work or a person's character.
Synonyms: faultless, exemplary
Antonyms: imperfect
How do you spell irreproachable?
Syllables: ir - re - proach - a - ble
Tricky part: The word opens with a double r. The ir means not and the next r begins reproach, so dropping one to write ireproachable is the most common slip.
Watch out for: ireproachable, irriproachable
Memory tip: Picture two runners, both called r, side by side on the starting line: this word sets off with a double r, like irregular and irresistible.
Irreproachable in a sentence
Example 1: Ms Okafor's report praised Arjun's irreproachable attendance over the whole school year.
Example 2: The museum guide's knowledge of ancient Egypt was irreproachable.
Example 3: Even the strictest coach could not fault the team's irreproachable sportsmanship.
Fun Fact
Reproach, the word it is built on, came into English from Old French and means blame or disapproval, so something irreproachable is quite literally beyond blame.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
irreproach_bl_
a) e, e
b) i, e
c) a, a
d) a, e
Show answer
d) a, e. If you can reproach someone, the ending is the one in readable and likeable.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt one:
1. conscientious 2. occurrence 3. persistent 4. irreprochable
a) carrying on firmly in spite of problems
b) something that happens
c) beyond any criticism or blame
d) careful to do every task thoroughly
Show answer
c) beyond any criticism or blame. Conscientious, persistent and occurrence are all spelt correctly, but irreprochable has lost the a after the o, so its meaning is the one to choose.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word irreproachable as used in the sentence:
The judges gave full marks for the gymnast's irreproachable landing on the beam.
a) polished
b) impeccable
c) spotless
d) flawed
Show answer
d) flawed. Impeccable, polished and spotless all praise the landing; a flawed landing would have had mistakes in it.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A referee's decisions are described as irreproachable. How do the players react to them?
a) they argue loudly about every call
b) they ask for a new referee at half-time
c) they accept them without any complaint
d) they keep asking for the rules to be checked
Show answer
c) they accept them without any complaint
2. Which person below would best deserve to be called irreproachable?
a) a shopkeeper who has always been honest with every customer
b) a shopkeeper who sometimes forgets to give the right change
c) a shopkeeper who has just started selling fresh bread
d) a shopkeeper who keeps the shop open only on Sundays
Show answer
a) a shopkeeper who has always been honest with every customer
