Unachievables

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. Things or goals that cannot be attained or accomplished due to insurmountable obstacles or inherent impossibility
  2. Entities or objectives that remain perpetually out of reach because they defy realization or successful completion
  3. Concepts or targets that are impossible to achieve or fulfill, no matter the effort or means employed

Etymology: The word in question is built from the prefix "un-" combined with the adjective "achievable," which itself derives from the verb "achieve." "Achieve" entered English around the early 16th century, coming from the Old French "achever," meaning "to finish or bring to a head," which in turn stems from the phrase "à chef," literally "to a head" or "to a conclusion." The prefix "un-" is a common English negation that dates back to Old English, used to denote the opposite or absence of the root word's quality. The adjective "achievable" emerged by adding the suffix "-able," which indicates capability or worthiness, to the verb base. This formation likely solidified in the 19th century as English grew more flexible with creating adjectives that express potential or possibility. The addition of "un-" to "achievable" reverses the meaning, thus forming "unachievable," which describes something that cannot be accomplished or attained. Turning this adjective into a noun by pluralizing it—as indicated by the "-s" ending—creates a term that refers collectively to things or goals that cannot be achieved. This kind of nominalization is a straightforward morphological process in English, allowing adjectives to function as nouns when discussing abstract concepts or categories. While "unachievables" is a logical and understandable formation, it is not traditionally found as a standard dictionary entry. It follows a productive pattern in English that permits the creation of nouns from negated adjectives, especially when discussing multiple instances or types of something. The word captures the idea of multiple goals or tasks that lie beyond the realm of possibility, emphasizing their unattainable nature as a group.

Synonyms: impossibles, unattainables

Antonyms: achievables, attainables